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.'IV>1 RTOWN 



ITCEFIELD 

^CONN 1859. -^^- 



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SKETCHES AND CHRONICLES 



TOWN OF LITCHFIELD, 

COnsnSTEOTICXJT^ 

HISTORICAL, BIOGRAPHICAL, AND STATISTICAL; 



TOGETHER WITH A 



COMPLETE OFFICIAL REGISTER OF THE TOWN. 



BY PAYNE KENYON KILBOURNE, BI. A., 

SECRETARY OF TUB LITCHFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL AND ANTHJUARIAN SOCIETY. 



HARTFORD: 

PRESS OF CASE, LOCKWOOD AND COMPANY. 

1859. 



PEEFACE. 



The ToAvii of Litchfield was first settled by emigrants 
from Hartford, Windsor, Wethersfield, Farmington and 
Lebanon, in 1720-'21. In 1751, the County of Litch- 
field was incorporated and organized, and at the same 
time Litchfield was established as the county- seat, and 
such it still remains. The township is located near 
the centre of the county, which occupies the north-west 
corner of the State of Connecticut. It is agreeably 
diversified by hills, vallies, mountains, lakes, forests and 
cultivated fields ; and is inhabited, for the most part, 
by an industrious, thriving, intelligent and happy people. 

Thus much for the information of the stranger whose 
eye may casually glance at this Preface. 

It has been the design of the author of these pages, 
to trace the rise and progress of that little settlement 
in the wilderness, during the lapse of one hundred and 
forty years, to the present time. The history of many a 
town at the West, tells of a sudden and gigantic growth 
at which our fathers would have marveled. I have no 
such stories to relate. The early history of Litchfield is 
one of peril and privation — of patient industry, and slow 
development. Our fathers, the pioneers of this region, 
were earnest, hardy and fearless men, who, in addition 
to the labors of backwoods-men, found abundant oppor- 



iv PREFACE. 

tunities for the display of their heroism in guarding their 
humble fire-sides from the prowling wolf and stealthy 
savage. The annals of such a people, and their succes- 
sors, cannot be devoid of interest to any one ; and should 
especially be cherished with the liveliest satisfaction by 
those who are able to claim descent from them. I have 
long been engaged in collecting the records and tradi- 
tions possessing a local interest, with a view of ultimate- 
ly giving them to the public. My " labor of love " for 
the good old town that gave me birth, is at length con- 
cluded, for the present at least. I trust the reader will 
share, in some small degree, the pleasure which the au- 
thor has felt in gathering up and sending forth these 
Memorials of the Past. Much more of perhaps equal 
interest, still remains unpublished ; but it will be seen 
that I have already exceeded my promised limits. The 
Family Genealogies in my possession, and for which I 
had hoj)ed to find room, would alone fill a volume of the 
size of this. In the latter part of the work, especially, 
the power of condensation has been thoroughly tested. 

I take this opportunity to express my acknowledg- 
ments to those who have preceded me in my field of 
exploration, and whose footsteps I have sometimes 
found it convenient to follow. In 1818, a pamphlet by 
James Morris, Esq., was published, entitled — " A Statis- 
tical Account of Several Towns in Litchfield County," 
which contains much valuable information relative to 
this town. In 1845, our fellow-townsman, George C. 
Woodruff, Esq., pubhshed a History of Litchfield in a 
pamphlet of sixty pages — an excellent work. 

Litchfield, Conn., June 15, 1859. p. k. k. 



INDEX. 



CHAPTER I. 

Events in Connecticut preceding the settlement of 
Litchfield. Bantam, &c. — Reference to the Old Patent of Con- 
necticut; the Constitution of 1639 ; Sir Edmund Andros ; the West- 
ern Lands conveyed away ; trouble arising therefrom ; a compromise 
etfected ; earliest record relating to " the New Plantation ;" Indian 
Deed ; List of Original Proprietors ; confirming Act of the Assembly; 
the word Bantam ; Lichfield, in England ; derivation of the word. 

CHAPTER IL 

Incidents of the First Settlement. — First Town Meeting ; 
first list of Town Officers ; conditions annexed to the Deeds ; forfeit- 
ed Rights ; second list of Town Officers ; first meeting-house ; village 
streets ; choice of home-lots ; capture and escape of Captain Gris- 
wold ; President D wight's account of the Restored Captive ; murder 
of Joseph Harris by the Indians. 

CHAPTER IIL 

Alarms and Measures of Defense. — Litchfield in 1723 ; list 
of First Settlers ; Garrisons erected ; soldiers sent to the relief of 
Litchfield ; Governor Talcott's memoranda ; Memorials of the settlers ; 
Acts concerning non-resident proprietors ; Bounty for killing Indians ; 
Samuel Beebe'e testimony ; Petition of Rose and others ; more sol- 
diers for the defense of Litchfield ; Petition for a Patent ; Copy of 
the Patent. 

CHAPTER IV. 

Miscellaneous Events. — Condition of the settlers ; Roger Wol- 
cott ; guardianship of Hartford and Windsor ; Bantam Swamp ; Ed- 
ucation ; iirst School House; lease of the School Right; seating the 
meeting-house ; north and south Boundaries ; Davies Hollow set oif 
to Washington ; South Farms, Northfield and Milton incorporated ; 
town of Goshen organized in Litchfield ; wild animals ; Litchfield in 
1760-78 ; the Fisheries of Bantam ; the Bantam Indians; the Mo- 



VI 



INDEX. 



hawks; Indian Relics; carved Stone Image ; Human Sacufice. 
Raumauc; Parson Boardman's Long Prayer ; locatioii of the Gai- 
Sonsrorthography; the West Burying-Ground ; John Marsh and 
John Buel. 

CHAPTER V. 
Events Peeceding the Revolution.— Litchfield County or- 
^aSled first County Officers; opposition of Woodbury ; Sabbat - 
f^r Houses- the Acadians or French Neutrals; French War; 
LUchfield officers and soldiers ; Roll of Captain McNeile's company ; 
Colonel Beebe ; the Stamp Act ; proceedings of a meeting in Li ch- 
field; Revolutiinary preparations; indications of Progress; high- 
ways to Goshen and Cornwall laid out. 

CHAPTER VI. 

The Revolutionary ERA.-Proceedings of a town meeting ; 
Committees of Inspection appointed; Aaron Burr; Ethan Allen 
CaXin Beebe's company ; memoranda relating to them ; captui^ of 
For Washington; terrible fate of the prisoners ; Lieut^ Cathn. 
sfx emit the leaden statue of King George brought to Litchfield, 
ann? into bullets ; account current ; Litchfield officers and soldiers ; 
;^Ue s from Dr. Smith to General Wolcott ; Paul Peck killed; pris- 
oners of war in Litchfield Jail; Governor Franklm ; Mayor Mat- 
thews ; the Episcopalians and the Revolution. 

CHAPTER VII. 

The Revolutionary Era-continued.— Depots for military 
stores and provisions ; workshops for the army; team sent here mth 
Z' errsbot, and leLd ; General Wolcott; Sheriff" Lord; clothing 
^^d i^ovisions for the army ; teams pass through Litchfield foi^he 
array : votes in town meetings ; committees appointed ; Father 
Chamnion's Prayer ; a Prussian General arrives m town ; Wa.h- 
hS visits Litchfield ; anecdotes and incidents; desertions from 
the enemy ; the Morrises ; Gatta, the Hessian. 

.CHAPTER VIII. 

Men of the Revolution— Biographical Sketches of Ethan 
Allen. Ehsha Sheldon, Oliver Wolcott, Andrew Adams, Bezaleel 
bS, Jedediah Strong, Benjamin Tallmadge, Tapping Reeve, Mo- 
ses Seymour, and Elisha Mason. 

CHAPTER IX. 

Progress and IMPROVEMENT.-Pastimes of our ancestors ; tlie 
Stolen Bride ; the Law School, and the Litchfield Monitor ; anecdote 
of General Tracy; opposition to Stoves in the old '^^'iting-house ; 
modes of iraveling; the first Post Office in this town; list of Lette.^ , 
Turnpikes and Stage-Coaches ; list of Postmasters. 



INDEX. Vll 

CHAPTER X. 

Ecclesiastical BIatters. — First Society. — Difficulties with 
Ml" Collins ; votes relating thereto ; sketch of his history ; settlement 
of Mr Champion ; building of the second meeting-house ; first soci- 
ety organized ; votes at its meetings ; settlement of Messrs. Hunting- 
ton, Beecher and Carroll ; new house of woi'ship erected ; settlement 
of Messrs. Hickok, Brace, Swan, and Bacon ; officers of the church 
and society. Episcopacy. — John Davies the first Episcopalian in the 
town ; first Episcopal society organized ; lands given to the society ; 
church named St. Michael's ; the Davies family ; sketches of the 
early Rectors ; application for a Justice of the Peace denied ; form- 
ation of the 2d Episcopal society ; the West Church erected ; Epis- 
copalians in Milton and Northfield. Methodism. — Visits of Garret- 
son and Asbury to Litchfield ; Litchfield Circuit formed ; list of min- 
isters on the circuit ; names of methodists in the town in 1805 ; church 
erected in this village in 1837 ; list of pastors. Baptists. 

Biographical Notes, 188 



APPENDIX. 

Colonial and State Officers; Chief Justices and Judges of the 
Superior Court and Supreme Court of Errors ; Commissioners of the 
Superior Court ; Justices of the Peace for Litchfield ; Judges and 
Clerks of the Probate Court ; Judges of the County Court ; U. S. 
Senators, members of Congress 'and members of the Council, from 
Litchfield county; Senators from the 15th District; County Officers, 
Borough Officers, Town Officers ; Prosecuting Attornies for the 
county ; Corporations, Societies and Institutions in Litchfield ; Roll 
of Representatives, List of Graduates, Physicians, &c. Miscellane- 
ous Articles. Biographical Addenda. 201 



HISTOEY OF LITCHFIELD. 



CHAPTER I. 



EVENTS IN CONNECTICUT PRECEDING THE SETTLEMENT OF LITCH- 
FIELD. BANTAM, ETC. 

In 1630, about ten years after the landing of the pilgrims on 
Plymouth Rock, the whole of the territory of the present State 
of Connecticut was conveyed by the Plymouth Company to 
Robert, Earl of AVarwick. On the 19th of March of the suc- 
ceeding year, the Earl executed under his hand and seal the 
grant since known as the Old Patent of Connecticut, wherein 
he transferred the same tract to Viscount Say and Seal, Lord 
Brooke, John Hampden, John Pym, Sir Richard Saltonstall, 
and others. In the summer of 1635, the towns of Hartford, 
Wethersfield and Windsor, on the Connecticut river, first 
began to be settled by emigrants from?.the vicinity of Boston 
in Massachusetts. Still a year later, the Rev. Thomas Hooker 
and his congregation made their celebrated journey through 
the wilderness, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Hartford, 
where they took up their permanent residence. In 1637, the 
Pequot War was begun and terminated — resulting in the 
expulsion and almost total annihilation of the most formida- 
ble tribe of Indians in the colony. 

The first Constitution adopted by the people of Connecticut 
bears date, January 15, 1638~'9. This continued to form the 
basis of our colonial government until the arrival of the Char- 
ter of Charles II., in 1662, when it was nominally superceded. 

Alternate troubles with the Dutch and Indians kept the 
settlers, for many years, in a perpetual state of discipline and 
alarm. But while the political commotions in the old world 
sometimes agitated the other American colonies, the people of 
Connecticut had from the first felt that their civil rights were 
guaranteed to them beyond the reach of any contingency. The 

3 



18 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Royal Charter was but a confirmation of privileges which they 
had long enjoyed. No king-appointed Governor or Council 
annoyed them by their presence or oppressed them by their 
acts ; but tlie voters were left to choose their own rulers and 
enact their own laws. Indeed, the influence of the crown was 
for a long period scarcely felt in the colony. On the acces- 
sion of James II., however, in 1685, the whole aspect of affairs 
was changed. It was soon rumored that His Majesty had de- 
termined to revoke all the charters granted by his predecessors. 
The arrival of Sir Edmund Andros at Boston, in December 
1686, bearing a commission as " Governor of New England,^^ 
was an event not calculated to allay the apprehensions of the 
people of Connecticut. His reputation was that of a selfish, 
grasping despot, bent upon enriching himself and immediate 
friends at the expense of the colonists. At this time, the 
entire region now known as the County of Litchfield, (except 
a solitary settlement at Woodbury, on its southern frontier,) 
was an unexplored wilderness, denominated the Western 
Lands. To save these lands from the control and disposal of 
Andros, the Legislature granted them to the towns of Hart- 
ford and Windsor — at least so much of them as lay east of the 
Housatonic river. When the usurpations of Andros were 
over, and the charter had found its way back from the hollow 
of the oak to the Secretary's office, the Colonial Assembly at- 
tempted to resume its title to these lands ; but the towns re- 
ferred to steadfastly resisted all such claims. The quarrel 
was long kept up, but no acts of hostility were committed un- 
til efforts were made to dispose of the tract. Collisions then 
became frequent. Explorers, agents and surveyors, of one 
party, were summarily arrested and expelled from the dispu- 
ted territory by the contestants. On one occasion, several 
offenders belonging to the Hartford and Windsor party, were 
imprisoned by the colonial authorities. A mob assembled, 
broke open the jail, and set the prisoners at large. A com- 
promise followed, confirming to the towns and the claimants 
under them, the lands of Litchfield and a part of those of New 
Milford. The other portions of the territory were intended 
to be equally divided between the colony and the claiming 



EXPLOEATION AND PURCHASE OP THE TOWNSHIP. 19 

towns. Thus Torrington, Barkliamsted, Colebrook, and a 
part of Harwinton, were appropriated to Windsor ; Hartland, 
Winchester, New Hartford, and the remaining portion of Har- 
winton, were given to Hartford ; the other lands in dispute, 
now constitu^ting the townships of Norfolk, Goshen, Canaan, 
Kent, Sharon and Salisbury, were retained by the colony. It 
should be added, that a small portion of the township of Litch- 
field was claimed by certain citizens of Parmington, by Adrtue 
of a deed of purchase from the Indians, dated August 11, 
1714. On the 11th of June, 1718, the Parmington claimants 
relinquished their rights to Hartford and Windsor, and in lieu 
thereof received one-sixth of all the lands of the town in fee. 
All business relating to the Western Lands was transacted 
by committees appointed by the claiming towns and by the 
General Court. In 1715, these towns (Hartford and Wind- 
sor,) took the initiatory steps toward exploring that portion of 
the western wilderness now embraced within our corporation 
limits, and purchasing whatever rights the natives possessed, 
or claimed to possess, to the soil. It would be interesting to 
know who was the first individual of the Anglo-Saxon race 
that ever visited the localities so cherished by. us all. The 
earliest record-evidence on this point, is contained in an entry 
in the first Book of Records in our Town Clerk's office,* 
which is as follows : 

" The Town of Hartford, Dr. 

To John Marsh, 
May 1715, For 5 days, man and horse, with expenses, 

in viewing the Land at the New Plantation, £ 2 

The Town of Hartford, Dr. 
Jan. 22, 171o-'16, To 6 days journey to Woodbury, 
to treat loith the Indians about the Western Lands, 
by Thomas Seymour, £ 1 4 

To expenses in the journey, 114 9 

£ 2 18 9 

* The following is written on the first page of the book referred to — "This booke be- 
longing to the Towne of Hartford, into which we, the Committee for Managing the 
affairs of the Western Grants, have entered our proceedings relating thereto, in con- 
junction with the Committee for the Towne of Windsor — as also an account of our di.v? 
bursements therein." Dated June 17, 1718. 



£0 


2 6 




4 9 




1 7 


7 


10 


2 


11 


1 


10 




2 




1 8 


£ 1 


10 




18 


1 





] 


7 





4 


£49 


10 




10 




7 


2 







11 o 


3, 1 


6 4 


1 


4 



20 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

The Town of Hartford, Dr. 

To Thomas Seymour, Committy, 

May 1716, By 2 quarts of Rum, 

Expenses at Farmington, 

Expenses at Waterbury, 

Paid Thomas Miner towards the Indian purchase, 

Expenses at Woodbury 

Expenses for a Pilot and protection, 

Fastening horse-shoes at Waterbury, 

Expenses at Waterbury, 

Expenses to Col. Whiting for writing 40 deeds, 

" to Capt. Cooke for acknowledging 18 deeds, 

" to Ensign Seymour, 

" at Arnold's, 

" by sending to Windsor, 
August 4, 1718.— Sold 11 lots for 

Expenses for writing 20 deeds, to Mr. Fitch, 

" to Capt. Cooke for acknowledging deeds, 

" for making out a way, 

" at Arnold's, 

" to Tho's Seymour for perambulating north line, 

" at Arnold's, 
Feb. 10, 1818. — At a meeting of the Committees, then sold 

16 lots reserved by Marsh for Hartford's part, 37 17 9 

At same meeting, paid by John Marsh for expenses, 12 

At same meeting, loss of money by mistake in acc't. 3 

April 14, 1719". — A meeting of the Committees, expenses, 6 

April 27. — At a meeting of the Committees, expenses, 7 ." 

By the earliest of these entries, we learn that Mr. John ■ 
Marsh was sent out from Hartford " to view the lands of the 
new plantation," in May, 1715. He may, therefore, be re- 
garded as emphatically the pioneer-explorer of this township. 
It is not improbable that an occasional hunter or adventurer 
had previously visited these hills, and carried hence an ac- 
count of our beautiful lake and the rich alluvial meadows on 
its banks ; but there is extant no written or traditionary evi- 
dence pointing to such an event. Mr. Marsh became an ori- 
ginal proprietor and early settler of the town, and was one of 
its most important and useful men. He was the progenitor 
of all bearing his name in Litchfield — a numerous and respec- 
table family. Mr. Thomas Seymour, of Hartford, appears in 
the record as the next explorer, and as the agent " to treat with 
the Indians" relative to the purchase of these lands. The sub- 
sequent items, though unimportant in themselves, are never- 



INDIAN DEED. 21 

theless deemed worthy of preservation, as they embrace all the 
information contained in our Town Books touching the action 
of the Committees relative to the lands in question, previous 
to the settlement. 

The negotiations resulted in purchasing from the Indians all 
the lands in the original township of Bantam or Litchfield. 
The sum paid therefor in behalf of the Committees, though 
seemingly small, was doul)tless satisfactory to the natives. 
Their estimate of land was founded mainly upon its value to 
them for hunting ; and as they made a " reservation " for that 
purpose, the " fifteen pounds in hand received " was, we have 
reason to believe, to their " full satisfaction and contentment," 
as is expressed in the Deed — which was executed at Wood- 
bury, March 2d, 1715-'16 : 

" To all People to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting : 

KNOW YE that we, Chusquenoag, Corkscrew, Quiump, Mag- 
nasli, Kehow, Sepunkum, Poni, Wonposet, Suckqunnokqueen, To- 
weecume, Mansiimpansh, and Norkgnotonckquy, Indian Natives 
belonging to the Plantation of Potatuck within the Colony of Connec- 
ticut, for and in consideration of the sum of fifteen pounds money in. 
hand received to our full satisfixction and contentment, have given, 
granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents do full}', freely 
and absolutely give, grant, bargain and confirm, unto Col. William 
Whiting, Mr. John Marsh and Mr. Thomas Seymour, a Committee 
for the town of Hartford ; and Mr. John Eliot, Mr. Daniel Griswold 
and Mr. Samuel Rockwell, a Committee for the town of Windsor, for 
themselves and in behalf of the rest of the Inhabitants of the towns of 
Hartford and Windsor,a certain tract of Land, situate and lyino- north 
of Waterbui'y bounds, abutting southerly, partly on Waterbury and 
partly on Woodbury ; from AVaterbury River westward across a part 
of Waterbury bounds, and across at the north end of Waterbury bounds 
to Shepaug River, and so northerly in the middle of Shepau"- River, 
to the sprains of Shepaug River below Mount Tom, thence running 
up the east branch of Shepaug River to a place where the said River 
runs out of Shepaug Pond, from thence to the north end of said Pond, 
then east to Waterbury River, then southerly as the River runs, to 
to the north end of Waterbury bounds upon the said River ; which 
said Tract of Land thus described, To Have and to Hold, to the 
said Col. William Whiting, Mr, John Marsh and Mr. Thomas Sey- 
mour, Mr. John Eliot, Mr. Daniel Griswold aud Mr. Samuel Rock- 
well, Committees of the Towns of Harttbrd and Windsor as aforesaid, 
m behalf of themselves and the rest of the Inhabitants of said Towns, 
to them, their heirs and assigns, to use, occupy and improve, as their 
own proper right of Inheritance, for their comfort forever; together 
with all the privileges, appurtenances and conditions to the same be 



22 HISTOEY OP LITCHFIELD. 

longing, or in any wise appertaining. And Further, we, the said 
Chusquenoag, Corkscrew, Quiump, Magnash, Kehow, Sepunkum, 
Poni, Wonposet, Suekqunnokqueen, Toweecumo, Mansumpansli and 
Norkgnotonckquy, owners and proprietors of the above granted Land, 
do, for ourselves and our heirs, to and with the above said William 
Whiting, John Marsh, Thomas Seymour, John Eliot, Daniel Griswold 
and Samuel Rockwell, Committees as aforesaid, them, their heirs and 
assigns, covenant and engage, that we have good right and lawful 
authority to sell the above granted land ; And Futher, at the desire 
and request of the aforesaid Committees, and at their own proper cost 
and charge, will give a more ample deed. 

And for a more full confirmation hereof, we have set our hands and 
seals, this second day of March, in the second year of His Majesties 
Reign, A. D. 1715. 

Memorandum. — Before the executing of this instrument, it is to be 
understood, that the grantors above named have reserved to themselves 
a piece of ground sufficient for their hunting houses, near a mountain 
called Mount Tom." 

This document is subscribed by the Indians named in the 
beginning of the deed — the last one excepted. As the " un- 
couth scrawls " used by them for signatures, are meaningless, 
and were undoubtedly drawn quite at random by the aboriginal 
signers, no attempt will here be made to imitate them. The 
names of the witnesses subscribed to the deed are, Weroa- 
maug, Wognacug, Tonhocks, John Mitchell, and Joseph Minor. 
It was " acknowledged" before Mr. Minor, the Indian Inter- 
preter, as follows : 

" The Indians that subscribed and sealed the above said deed, ap- 
peared personally in Woodbury, the day of the date thereof, and ack- 
nowledged the said deed to be their free and voluntary act and deed 
Before me, JOHN MINOR." 

In 1718, a Company was organized for the settlement of Ban- 
tam. The township, which contained about 44,800 acres, was 
divided into sixty rights or shares — three of which were reser- 
ved for pious uses, viz., one share to the first minister and his 
heirs forever ; one, for the use of the first minister and his suc- 
cessors in the pastoral office ; and one, for the support of 
Schools. Purchasers having been found for the remaining 
fifty-seven rights, deeds of conveyance were made by the Com- 
mittees, confirmijig the entire plantation to the new proprie- 
tors. These deeds are dated, April 29, 1719 — fifty-five of 
which are recorded on the Litchfield Land Records. The con- 



OEIGINAL PEOPRIETOES OF THE TOWN. 



23 



sideration for forty-eight shares, was <£229 10 0, in bills of 
credit ; for seven shares, the sum of .£31 4 was paid. Mr. 
John Marsh purchased the two remaining shares, but the price 
paid therefor does not appear. The average cost of the land 
to the first purchasers, did not exceed one penny and three 
farthings per acre. 

The subjoined list contains the names of all the " original 
proprietors" of the township : 

John Marsh * (2 Rights,) from Hartford. John Stoddard,* Wethersfield. 



Samuel Sedgwick, Jr, 
Nathaniel Goodwin, 
Timothy Seymour, 
Paul Peck, Jr.,* 
Joseph Mason,* 
Nathaniel Messenger, 
Benjamin Webster,* 
Joshua Garrett,* 
Samuel Forward, 
Thomas Griswold, Jr., 
Jacob Gibbs,* 
Joseph Birge,* 
Benjamin Hosford,* 
John Hart, 
Timothy Stanley, 
John Bird,* 
Joseph Bird,* 
Samuel Lewis, 
Ebenezer Woodruff, 
Samuel Eoot, 
Nathaniel Winchell, 
Hezekiah Winchell, 
Joseph Gillett,* 
Jonathan Buck, 
William Goodrich, Jr.* 



Windsor. 



Farmington, 



Colchester. 
New Milford. 
Wethersfield. 



Ezekiel Buck,* 

Jacob Griswold,* " 

John Buel,* (2 Eights,) Lebanon. 

Edward Culver, " 

Hezekiah Culver,* " 

Thomas Lee,* " 

Eleazer Strong,* " 

Supply Strong,* " 
Caleb Chapel, (2 Eights,) 

Thomas Treadway,* " 

John Caulkins, " 
Ezekiel Sanford, (2 Eights,) Stratford. 
Nathan Mitchell,* 

Thomas Pier,* " 

John Mann, " 

Joseph Peet, " 

Samuel Somers, " 
Nath'l Smith,* (2 Eights,) Taunton, Ms. 

John Collins, " 

Ephraim French, " 
Josiah Walker,* Woodbury. 

Samuel Orton,* " 

Joseph Waller,* " 

Isaac Judson, " 



Those proprietors whose names are here designated by a 
star (*) became settlers in the town. The Rights of a few 
others were settled upon by the sons of the first purchasers ; 
others sold out their interest to persons who became permanent 
residents ; while a few forfeited their shares by neglecting to 
comply with the terms of the purchase. 

The title thus acquired was soon after confirmed by the fol- 
lowing Act of the Legislature : 

" At a General Assembly holden at Hartford, May, A. D. 1719 : 

UPON the Petition of Lieut. John Marsh, of Hartford, and 

Deacon John Buel, of Lebanon, with many others, praying hberty, 

under Committees appointed by the Towns of Hartford and Windsor, 

to settle a Town westward of Farmington, at a place "called Bantaji. 

This Assembly do grant liberty and full power, unto the said John 



24 HISTOEY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Mai'sh and John Buel and partners settlers, being in the whole fifty- 
seven in number, to settle a town at said Bantam : the said town to 
be divided into sixty Rights, three whereof to be improved for pious 
uses in said town. And the other fifty-seven shall, as soon as may 
conveniently be, settled upon by the undertakers, or, upon their fail- 
ure, by others that may be admitted. . Said town to be in length, east 
and west, eight miles, three-quarters and twenty-eight rods, and in 
breadth seven miles and an half — being bounded eastward by Matta- 
tuck River, westward the bigger part upon the most western branch 
of the Shepaug River and partly upon the wildei-ness, north upon the 
wilderness, and south by Waterbury bounds and a west line from 
Waterbury corner unto Shepaug River ; said town to be known by 
the name of LITCHFIELD, and to have the following figure for a 
a brand for their horse hind, viz, 9. And the same powers and priv- 
ileges that other towns in this Colony do enjoy, are hereby granted 
to said town." 

As this chapter may be regarded simply as an introduction 
to the subject-matter of the volume, a brief reference to the 
origin and meaning of the names by which this locality was 
and is known, will not be out of place here. 

The earliest designation applied to this particular portion of 
the Western Lands, was Bantam — and the name is still borne 
by our principal Lake and one of our largest Rivers. His- 
torians have generally concurred in calling this the Lidian or 
Aboriginal name of the place. There appears to be good rea- 
son, however, to doubt the correctness of such a conclusion. 
Impressed with the belief that the word had a trans- Atlantic 
origin, I have occasionally asked the opinion of such friends as 
I knew to be familiar with the construction of languages, and 
likely to be much better informed on the subject than myself. 
1\\ November, 1856, the Hon. Charles W. Bradley, LL. D., 
formerly Secretary of State, and now an American Consul in 
China, thus responded to my enquiry and suggestion : 

" As to the name " Bantam," I fully agree with you that it hath a 
very un-Indian look and sound, nor have I ever regarded it as belong- 
ing to any of our native dialects. I have no idea how it got there. 
The only place of that name, within my ken, is near my late residence 
(Singapore,) where, in the Island of Java, is a town, once the capital 
of a District of the same designation, containing 3,428 square miles. 
Bantam is in lat. 6° S. long. lOC^ 13' E — forty-seven miles W. from 
Batavia." 

Prof W. G.-Peck, of Columbia College, New York, in Oc- 
tober last, wrote : 



BANTAM — LITCHFIELD. 25 

" You will remember our conversation about the word Bantam, and 
that I took the ground that it was not of Indian origin. In looking 
over an old History of Java, the other day, I came across the fact that 
an expedition was fitted out in 1601, consisting of four ships belonging 
to the then newly-formed " East India Company ;" and that the expe- 
dition sailed under Captain Lancaster in 1 602, touching first at Acheen 
and then at Bantam in Java. Captain Lancaster, during the latter 
year, brought home a letter from the " King of Bantam " to Queen 
Elizabeth. From all this, you will see that the Java Bantam was in 
existence and had a king, eighteen years before the landing of the 
Pilgrims — and I don't know how much earlier. Bantam was occupi- 
ed by the Dutch in the sixteenth century, and was a place of much 
consequence. In the Portuguese writings of Jono de Barras, (Lisbon 
1777,) the place is called " Bintam or Bantam." I am unable to as- 
certain whether the word is Dutch or Javanese ; at any rate, it is quite 
clear that the name is not of Connecticut origin." 

The English and Danes had factories at Bantam previous to 
16S2, at which date they were taken by the Dutch. The har- 
bor was long a favorite rendezvous for British shipping in the 
East. Of course the name was a familiar one in the English 
colonies at the time of the exploration of these Western Lands. 
Why it was transferred to this locality, must remain a matter 
of conjecture ; perhaps it was because, like the Bantam of the 
old world, this was a wild and almost unknown region, inhab- 
ited by a race of barbarians ; perhaps, as has been suggested 
by a distinguished antiquarian scholar, the name may have 
first been given by the settlers on the Connecticut to an Indian 
sachem residing in this vicinity, and, at a subsequent date, . 
the country may have been named from him. At all events, 
it appears to have been the first designation by which this 
township was ever known to the Anglo-Saxon race ; and as 
such, is worthy of l)eing retained and cherished. 

The Town, as we have seen, was first called Litchfield in 
the act of incorporation, passed during the May Session, 1719 
and was so named from the ancient city of Lichfield, Staf- 
fordshire, England — the t being added, probably by the legis- 
lative clerk, and has ever since been retained. It was witli 
a sort of hallowed, home-sick feeling, that, in July 1855, the 
author of this volume (then on his way from London to North 
Wales,) made a brief stop at this famous ecclesiastical empori- 
um. Long before reaching the Lichfield Station, the spires of 
the noble Cathedrjj,! attracted the attention and elicited the 

4 



26 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

remarks of the numerous strangers on the tram. It is hardly 
to be presumed that this place received the name it bears, on 
account of any supposed resemblance of its location to that of 
the city whence its name is derived. The English Lichfield, 
it is true, stands upon elevated ground, and is surrounded by 
rural beauties which are rarely surpassed even in the British 
Islands ; but the city cannot be said to stand on a liill^ and the 
face of the surrounding country is materially different from 
the scenes upon which we are accustomed to look. With the 
same broad meadows, pastures and cultivated fields, inter- 
spersed with patches of wood-land, they lack the lake, and 
forest, and mountain scenery, which forms a principal attrac- 
tion of our landscapes. Lichfield is said to have been erected 
into a bishopric as early as A. D. 656 — the first bishop bearing 
the name of Diuma. The first cathedral was completed about 
the year 700, in the time of Bishop Hedda. The founder of 
the present edifice is stated to have been Roger de Clinton, 
who came to the see in 1138 ; though, from the style of arclii- 
itecture, it is believed that much of the building was erected 
during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. At the com- 
mencement of the civil wars, the Close of Lichfield was forti- 
fied by the royalists, and the command entrusted to Lord Ches- 
terfield. In March, 1643, the garrison was attacked by the 
parliamentary forces under Lord Brooke, one of the Patentees 
of Connecticut, who is said to have made a vow that if he 
should succeed he would level the cathedral with the ground. 
A day or two after, however, his lordship was shot dead, as he 
walked along the street below, by a gentleman stationed on 
the great tower of the church. The garrison soon surrendered 
to the puritan army, who, if we are to believe Dugdale, de- 
molished all the monuments, pulled down the curious carved 
work, battered in the costly windows, destroyed the records, 
stabled their horses in the aisles, and " every day hunted a 
cat throughout the church, delighting themselves in the echo 
from the goodly vaulted roof." These were strange pastimes, 
surely, for puritan soldiers ; but doubtless the picture was 
somewhat overdrawn by the royal historian. The garrison was 
again captured by the royalists, and re-captured by the puri- 



ETYMOLOGY OF LITCHFIELD. 27 

tans. The cathedral suffered greatly from these successive 
sieges. It was estimated that not less than two thousand can- 
non-balls and fifteen hundred hand-grenades had been dischar- 
ged against it. It was completely renovated by Bishop Hacket 
during the reign of Charles II. The city contains several 
churches, schools, and charitable institutions, and, in 1841, 
had a population of 14,754. Its streets are narrow, but well 
paved and well lighted ; many of the buildings are handsome, 
and its general appearance is much above the average of Eng- 
lish towns of its size. Its municipal officers are, a mayor, re- 
corder, five aldermen, and eighteen Councilors. It is entitled 
to two members of parliament. In this place were born Gar- 
rick, Johnson, Lady Mary Wortley Montague, and other emi- 
nent characters. 

As to the etymology of the word Lichfield, or IMchJield, 
Gorton in his " Topographical Dictionary of Great Britain and 
Ireland," (London, 1833, vol. ii, p. 564,) says — " "Various 
derivations have been proposed of the name of this place ; but 
it has generally been deduced from the term, Lich-field, signi- 
fying the Field of the Dead — thus denominated, according to 
some ecclesiastical historians, on account of the great number 
of Christians having suffered martyrdom here during the Dio- 
clesian persecution in the beginning of the fourth century." 
In confirmation of this derivation, it may be added, that a field 
in the neighborhood, bearing the name of Christian Field, is 
still pointed out as the place where a thousand Christians were 
slaughtered at one time. This definition also corresponds 
with that given by the great lexicographer. Dr. Johnson, who 
was a native of Lichfield. In Saxon times, this town formed a 
portion of the extensive and powerful kingdom of Mercia, 
which was christianized upon its conquest by Oswy, King of 
Northumberland. 

Our Litchfield (Connecticut) was the first place on this 
continent to bear the name. There are now seven other Litch- 
fields in the United States, (all spelt with the t,~) viz., one in 
each of the following States — Maine, New Hampshire, New 
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky. These 
towns, with perhaps a single exception, were settled by Connec- 
ticut people. In Ohio, there is a post office named Bantam. 



CHAPTER II. 

INCIDENTS OF THE FIRST SETTLEMENT. 

The settlement of Litchfield was commenced by Capt. Ja- 
cob Griswold, from Windsor, Ezekiel Buck, from Wethersfield, 
and John Peck, from Hartford, all of whom removed their 
families into the township during the summer of 1720. In 
the course of this and the following year, several other families 
— chiefly from Hartford, Lebanon, Wethersfield and Windsor — 
erected log houses on their home-lots, and moved into them. 

The record of what appears to have been the first Town 
Meeting, is ivithout date. Dea. John Buel and Nathaniel 
Smith were appointed a Committee to hire a minister, and " to 
make and gather a rate, to pay him for his services amongst 
us." This Committee employed Mr. Timothy Collins, of 
Guilford, a young licentiate who had graduated at Yale Col- 
lege in 1718. At the next Meeting, held November 6, 1721, 
it was voted, " that Mr. Collins be forthwith called to a settle- 
ment in this place in the work of the ministry ;" and it was stip- 
ulated that he should receive fifty-seven pounds per year for 
four years — and thereafter, as follows, viz., "the fifth year, 
sixty pounds ; the sixth year, seventy pounds ; the seventh 
year, eighty pounds — and so to continue at eighty pounds per 
year" so long as he should remain in the pastoral office in this 
town. It was also agreed to pay him one hundred pounds pre- 
vious to the 1st day of July, 1722, and to furnish him with 
fire-wood. Mr. Collins accepted the terms proposed, in a let- 
ter bearing date, "Litchfield, Dec. 12, 1721," and immediate- 
ly entered upon his labors — though he was not ordained until 
the 19th of June, 1723.* In addition to his salary, as above 

*Messrs. Nathaniel Smith, Eleazer Strong and Samuel Culver, were appointed a com 
mittee " to provide accommodations, at the town's cost, for the Elders and Messengers 
that shall be in attendance." 



FIEST TOWN OFFICERS. 29 

stated, Mr. Collins received in fee one-sixtieth part of all the 
lands of the township, together with the use for life of another 
sixtieth part. 

The first meeting of the Inhabitants for the choice of Town 
Officers, was held Dec. 12, 1721, and resulted as follows : 

John Marsh, Toion Clerk. 

John Buel, \ 

Nathaniel Hosford, > Selectmen. 

John Marsh, ) 

William Goodrich, Constable and Collector. 

Benjamin Gibbs and Thomas Lee, Surveyors. 

Eleazer Strong and Samuel Root, Fence Viewers. 

Daniel Culver, Hayward. 

Joseph Bird, Collector of Minister's Rate. 

The only person " admitted an inhabitant " at this meeting, 
was Mr. Joseph Kilbourn, from Wethersfield, who had recent- 
ly purchased one-thirtieth part of the township — being the 
original Rights of Messrs. Mann and Peet. 

On the 6th of February, 1721-'2, Messrs, Buel and Marsh 
were voted " the use of the stream of Bantam River and thirty 
acres of land," on condition that they would erect a Grist 
Mill and keep the same in order ; and Messrs. Jacob Griswold, 
William Goodrich and Benjamin Gibbs were designated to lay 
out the land for their use. 

On the 8th of the ensuing May, Messrs. Buel, Marsh, Smith 
and Hosford, were appointed a Committee, and fully empow- 
ered by the town, to negotiate a settlement of the boundary line 
between Litchfield and Waterbury, with a Committee appoint- 
ed by the proprietors of the latter town. At the same time, 
Messrs. Buel and Marsh were directed to petition the General 
Assembly, on the town's behalf, " for liberty to set up a church 
and society in Litchfield." 

It had been one of the conditions of the several deeds of con- 
veyance to the original proprietors, that the grantees or their 
sons should build a tenantable house on each home-lot, or 
division, not less than sixteen feet square, and personally in- 
habit the same by the last day of May, 1721, and for three 
years ensuing ; and no one was permitted " to leave or dispose 



30 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

of his share for five years thereafter, without tlie consent of the 
first planters." This was a wise provision, growing out of the 
dependent and exposed condition of a settlement in the wilder- 
ness. Not only was each individual purchaser expected to 
encourage the settlement by his personal presence and labors, 
but his assistance in planning and executing the various pro- 
jects designed for the promotion of the public, welfare, was 
deemed indispensable. His proprietorship in these " western 
lands " was no sinecure, resorted to for purposes of specula- 
tion. He must bear his full share of the burthens and per- 
ils incident to the life of a pioneer. For divers reasons, sever- 
al of the first purchasers, as has been intimated, failed to 
comply with these terms. On the 8th of June, 1722, in gen- 
eral Town Meeting, it was voted that the following persons 
had " forfeited their Rights to Lands in Litchfield by not per- 
forming what they were obliged to in the articles of the settle- 
ment mentioned in the Grand Deed," viz., Timothy Seymour, 
Timothy Stanley, Isaac Judson, Jacob Gibbs, John Stoddard, 
Nathaniel Smith, Paul Peck, John Hart, Philip Bump, Na- 
thaniel Woodruff, Thomas Griswold, John Baldwin and one of 
Ezekiel Sandford's Rights. Messrs. John Buel, Nathaniel 
Smith and John Marsh, were appointed a Committee to nego- 
tiate with the above-named individuals, with power to " prose- 
cute the forfeiture to effect" in case the claimants should neg- 
lect or refuse to agree to the terms which might be offered them. 
Probably a compromise was effected with most of the delin- 
quents. Some of them became active and useful men in the 
town. 

In October of this year, the freemen, by a formal vote, ex- 
pressed their desire to be annexed to Hartford County. They 
also voted that the tax for the support of the minister and for 
building the meeting-house, should be laid " one half on the 
Rights, and the other on heads and stock." 

The second annual Town Meeting was held, December 17, 
1722. The following Town Officers for the year ensuing were 
chosen : 

[Nathaniel Hosford, Moderator.^ 

John Marsh, Town Clerk. 



the first meetingf-house. 31 

Nathaniel Hosford, ^ 

John Stoddard, > Selectmen. 

Joseph Kilbourn, ) 

Jacob Griswold, Constable. 

Eleazer Strong, Grand Juror. 

John Baldwin and Joseph Birge, Fence Viewers. 

Nehemiah Allen and Thomas Lee, Listers. 

Joseph Harris, Collector. 

Nathan Mitchell, Leather Sealer. 

At an adjourned meeting held on the 26th of December, it 
was ordered that the ' ' town stock of powder and lead should 
be procured by a rate raised upon the Rights." A tax of one 
hundred and sixty pounds was laid towards building the meet- 
ing-house : and a subsequent vote provided for the raising of 
forty-three pounds more to be applied to the same object, and 
for the maintenance of the ministry. Messrs. Kilbourn, Stod- 
dard, Hosford and Marsh, were appointed a Committee " to 
manage the aifair of building the meeting-honse." The erec- 
tion of a place of public worship appears to have been regarded 
by the town as the one great work to be accomplished. The 
votes in reference to it are frequent. One of them, passed 
April 19, 1723, describes the dimensions and style of the edi- 
fice as follows : It shall be " 45 feet in length, 25 feet in breadth 
and 20 feet between joints ; to be shingled and clapboarded, 
the lower floor laid, the seats and pulpit made, the walls sealed 
up the girts, all the windows made and glazed ; the house well 
underpined, with all needful doors ; all said work to be well 
and sufficiently done, according to the discretion of the com 
mittee appointed for the work ; all of which work is to be fin- 
ished within the space oi three years ensuing the date hereof."* 
The location of the building is described as " northward of 
William Goodrich's, towards Mr. Collins's house" — or about 
midway between the present Mansion House corner and the 
Luke Lewis house. 

In the earliest records, our present North street was called 

* It is not improbable that the edifice was so far completed within the time specified 
as to be used for public worship ; but as late as Dec. 24, 1731, we find an appropria- 
tion of £25 " toyvards Jinishin(/ the meeting-house," and a committee was at the same 
time appointed to attend to the work. Dec. 27. it was voted " to get a cushion or 
pillow for the pulpit, to be made with plush, andstufft." 



32 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Town street, and was laid out twelve rods wide ; that now 
called South street, was laid out eight rods wide, and was 
named Town Hill street ; Gallows Lane was twenty-eight rods 
wide, and was called Middle street ; the present East and West 
streets were twenty rods wide, and called Meeting House street 
— the first meeting-house standing in the center ; the street 
running south from the present residence of Colonel Odell's, 
was then called South Griswold street, and was four rods wide ; 
that running north from Dr. Eliada Osborn's, was called North 
Griswold street, and was eight rods wide ; Prospect street was 
called North street, and was originally twenty rods wide, but 
soon reduced to seventeen. 

The subject of Highways was also one of special importance, 
and engrossed much of the attention of the inhabitants in their 
Town Meetings. On the 26th of December, 1722, it was voted 
to lay out a highway from Bantam River to the Chestnut Hill 
home-lots, "in the range ivhere the foot-path now is^'' as the 
record expresses it. On the following day, it was voted " to 
lay out a highway from John Marsh's home-lot [on Chestnut 
Hill,] to the south l^ounds ; and the highway by Mr. Collins's 
house, to be continued to the north bounds ; and the highway 
running east, to be extended to the east bounds ; and west, or 
south-west, from Thomas Pier's, according to the best skill of 
the Committee ; and the highway running north from Pier's, 
to be continued to the north bounds." 

The proprietor of each Right was entitled, as a part of his 
division of lands, to a Home Lot of fifteen acres in the " town 
plat" or village. The choice of the Home Lots was decided 
by chance. The first choice fell to Nathaniel Winchell, who 
selected the lot on the south corner of South-street and Gal- 
lows Lane. John Marsh drew the second choice, and, singu- 
larly enough to us, selected the lot at the southern extremity 
of the village, bordering on Bantam River — on which the 
dwelling-house of Mrs. Frederick Prescott now stands. Tim- 
othy Seymour drew the third choice, and fixed the location of 
his lot on the north side of West-street, where Mr. Lyman J. 
Smith now lives. Numbers four, five and six, (drawn by 
Messrs. John Bird, Samuel Orton and Samuel Forward,) selec- 



THE HOME-LOTS. 33 

ted lots on the east side of South-street, adjoining each other, 
and lying immediately north of the lot of John Marsh on Ban- 
tam River. The Mansion House corner was selected by Wil- 
liam Goodrich, who drew number twenty ; Nathaniel Smith 
drew the twenty-fifth choice, and selected the Oliver Goodwin 
corner ; the thirty-third choice fell to Samuel Lewis, who se- 
lected the County House corner, which he soon after transfer- 
red to Joseph Kilbourn, the purchaser of his Right. For his 
first " twenty acre division," Mr. Kilbourn selected the lot on 
the north corner of North and Prospect streets, now occupied 
in part by Dr. Richards' " Elm Park Collegiate Institute." 
The north-east corner of North and East streets, together with 
the lot adjoining on the north, was laid out to the Rev. Mr. 
Collins ; the next lot north was for the benefit of Mr. Collins 
and his successors in the ministry ; adjoining which, still fur- 
ther north, was the home-lot laid out on the School Right. 
The fifty-seventh (or last) choice was drawn by Ezekiel San- 
ford, who chose the lot in South-street now owned and occupied 
by A. C. Smith, Esq. — one of the most eligible sites in the 
village. 

It is probable that the Avork of laying out these Home Lots 
was commenced in 1720, and that the first settlers, in compli- 
ance with the stipulation contained in their several deeds, 
erected tenements thereon. In May, 1722, Messrs. Hezekiali 
Culver and Thomas Lee were appointed to complete the work ; 
but it would seem that they failed to attend to the business, for, 
in the following December, Messrs. John Stoddard, John Bird 
and Jacob Griswold, were appointed on a Committee for the 
same purpose. More than two-thirds of the Home Lots were 
located within our present borough limits ; the remainder, far- 
ther west on West street and South Griswold street, and south- 
east on Chestnut Hill. 

Two or three incidents connected with pioneering in the era 
of which we are speaking, will form a fitting close to this 
chapter. 

" In May, 1722," says Mr. Morris, " Capt. Jacob Griswold 
being at work alone in the field about one mile west of the 
present Court House, two Indians suddenly rushed upon him 

5 



34 HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

from the woods, took him, pinioned his arms, and carried him 
off. They traveled in a northerly direction, and the same day 
arrived in some part of the township noAv called Canaan, then 
a wilderness. The Indians kindled a fire, and, after binding 
their prisoner hand and foot, lay down to sleep. Griswold 
fortunately disengaged his hands and feet, and though his arms 
were tied, he seized their guns, and made his escape into the 
woods. After traveling a short distance, he sat down and 
waited until the dawn of day. Although his arms were still 
pinioned, he carried both the guns. The savages awoke in 
the morning, and, finding their prisoner gone, immediately 
pursued him. Tliey soon overtook him, and kept in sight of 
him the greater part of the day, while he was making his way 
homeward. When they came near, he turned and pointed one 
of the pieces at them ; they then fell back. In this manner 
he traveled till near sunset, when he reached an eminence in 
an open field about one mile north-west of the center. He ' 
then discharged one of his guns, which immediately summon- 
ed the people to his assistance. The Indians fled, and Gris- 
wold safely returned to his family." 

The following interesting narrative from " Travels in New 
England and New York," by Timothy Dwight, S. T. D., 
LL. D., President of Yale College, (vol. i. pp. 113 — 118,) has 
been often re-published in this country and in Europe. With 
characteristic caution, he remarks — " This story may be cir- 
cumstantially erroneous ; in substance I believe it to be true." 

" Not many years after the County of Litchfield began to be settled 
by the English, a strange Indian came one day into an Inn in the 
Town of Litchfield, in the dusk of the evening, and requested the host- 
ess to furnish him with some drink and supper. At the same time, 
he observed, that he could pay for neither, as he had had no success 
in hunting ; but promised payment as soon as he should meet with 
better fortune. The hostess refused him both the drink and the sup- 
per; called him a lazy, drunken, good for nothing fellow ; and told 
him that she did not work so hard, herself, to throw away her earnings 
upon such creatures as he was. A man who sat by, and observed 
that the Indian, then turning about to leave so inhospitable a place, 
showed by his countenance that he was suffering very severely from 
want and weariness, directed the hostess to supply him what he wish- 
ed, and engaged to pay the bill himself. She did so. When the In- 
dian had finished his supper, he turned to his benefactor, thanked him, 



THE CAPTIVE RESTORED. OO 

and assured him that he should remember his kindness, and whenever 
he was able, would faithfully recompense it. For the present, he ob- 
served, he could only reward him with a story ; which, if the hostess 
would give him leave, he wished to tell. Tlie hostess, whose com- 
placency had been recalled by the prospect of payment, consented. 
The Indian, addressing himself to his benefactor, said — " I suppose 
you read the Bible." The man assented. " Well," said the Indian, 
" the Bible say, God made the world ; and then he took him and look- 
ed on him, and say, ' It's all very good.' Then he made light ; and 
tooli him and looked on him, and say, ' It's all very good.' Then he 
mode dry land and water, and sun and moon, and grass and trees ; 
and took him and looked on him, and saj, ' It's all very good.' Then 
he made beasts, and birds, and fishes ; and took him and looked on. 
him, and say, ' It's all very good.' Then he made man ; and took 
him and looked on him, and say, 'It's all very good.' Then he made 
woman ; and took him and looked on him, and he no dare say one 
such word." The Indian, having told his story, withdrcAV. 

Some years after, the man who had befriended him had occasion to 
go some distance into the wilderness, between Litchfield, then a ft'on- 
tier settlement, and Albany, where he was taken prisoner by an In- 
dian scout, and carried to (Canada. Vf hen he arrived at the principal 
settlement of tlie tribe, on the southern border of the St. Lawrence, 
it was proposed by some of the captors that he should be put to death. 
During the consultation, an old Indian woman demanded that he 
should be given up to her ; that she might adopt him in the place of 
a son whom she had lost in the war. He was accordingly given to 
her, and lived through the succeeding winter in her family, experien- 
cing the customary effects of savage hospitality. The following sum- 
mer, as he was at work in the forest alone, an unknown Indian came 
up to him, and asked him to meet him at a place which he pointed out, 
on a given day. The prisoner agreed to the proposal, but not with- 
out some apprehensions that mischief was intended him. During the 
interval, these apprehensions increased to such a degree as to dis- 
suade him effectuall}'^ from fulfilling his engagement. Soon after, the 
same Indian found him at his work again, and very gravely reproved 
him for not performing his promise. The man apologized, awkward- 
ly enough, but in the best manner in his power. The Indian told 
him that he should be satisfied, if he would meet him at the same 
place on a future day, which he named. The man promised to meet 
him, and fulfilled his promise. "When he arrived at the spot, he found 
the Indian provided with two muskets, ammunition for them, and 
knapsacks. The Indian ordered him to take one of each, and follow 
him. The direction of their march Avas to the south. The man fol- 
lowed, without the least knowledge of what he was to do or whither 
he was going; but concluded that if the Indian intended him harm, he 
would have dispatched him at the beginning, and that at the worst he 
■was as safe where he was, as he could be in any other place. Within 
a short time, therefore, his fears subsided, although the Indian observ- 
ed a profound and mysterious silence concerning the object of the ex- 



36 THE HISTOKY OF LITCHFIELD. 

pedilion. In the day time, they shot such game as came in their way, 
and at night kindled a fire, by which they slept. After a tedious 
joui'ney of many days, they came one morning to the top of an emi- 
nence, presenting a prospect of a cultivated country, in which was a 
number of houses. The Indian asked his companion whether he 
knew the place. He replied eagerly that it was Litchfield. His 
guide then, after reminding him that he had so many years before 
relieved the wants of a famishing Indian, at an Inn in that town, sub- 
joined, "I that Indian; now I pay you ; go home." Having said this, 
he bade him adieu ; and the man joyfully returned to his own house." 

The Rev. James Hamilton, D. D., F. L. S., of London, 
England, author of" The Royal Preacher," and other works, 
in a Lecture from the text, " Cast thy hread upon the waters," 
&c., gives the substance of this story, which he commences as 
'follows : " Dr. Dwight, an American, tells how, when the 
country near Albany was newdy settled, an Indian came to au 
inn. in Litchfield," &c. (See Royal Preacher, pp. 275-'7.) 
Ignorance of our local geography, is of course excusable in a 
foreigner. The incidents of the narrative certainly afford an 
apt illustration of the truth of the text. 

In August, 1723, (as near as can now be ascertained,) Mr. 
Joseph Harris, one of the most respectable citizens of the town, 
while at work alone in the woods about a mile and a half west 
of the village, was attacked by a party of Indians, shot, and 
scalped. As he did not return home when expected, the 
alarm was given, and search was immediately made for him, 
which was continued until the darkness of the night checked 
all further exertions. In the morning, his body was found 
leaning against the trunk of a tree. Harris was killed near 
the north end of the West Plain, a few rods south or south- 
east of the present residence of Mr. Myron Osborn. He was 
interred in the West Burying-Ground, where, in 1830, a mon- 
ument was erected to his memory by voluntary contribution.* 

These events effectually alarmed the settlers, and led to 
those measures of self-defense which are detailed with some 
degree of minuteness in the next chapter. 

* The date of Harris's death given on his monument is 1721. Cribbs and Morris both 
place the event in " August 1722." These dates arc of course impossible— as he waa 
chosen Collector in December of the latter year. 



z^- 



CHAPTER III. 

ALARMS AND MEASURES OP DEFENSE. 

Could we go back one hundred and tliirty-six years, and, 
from some elevated stand-point, look down upon Litchfield as 
it was in the beginning of the' year 1723, what a contrast to its 
present appearance would the scene present ! Here and there, 
like dots on the surface of the landscape, little openings had 
been made in the primeval forests by the axes of the settlers. 
Forty or fifty log-cabins were scattered over the site now occu- 
pied by this village and its immediate vicinity. A temporary 
palisade stood where our Court House now stands, and four 
others were erected in more remote parts of the town, for the 
protection of the laborers at the clearings : all soon to give 
place to stronger and more permanent structures. The howl 
of the wild beast and the yell of the savage, daily and nightly 
reminded the people of the dangers by which they were sur- 
rounded. The little hamlet was quite beyond the bounds of 
civilization — the nearest white settlements being those at New 
Milford on the south-west and at Woodbury on the south, both 
some fifteen miles distant. An almost unbroken wilderness 
stretched westward to the Dutch settlements on the Hudson, 
and northward two hundred and fifty miles to the French villa- 
ges in Canada. The Indians, still at war with the English, 
prowled on the frontiers like ravenous wolves eager for their 
prey. Their yells at the war-dance, an ominous sound, were 
heard on the distant hills, and at midnight tlieir signal-fires 
on Mount Tom lit up tlie surrounding country with their bale- 
ful gleam. Without mails or newspapers, and with no regular 
means of communication with their friends in the older towns, 
they seemed indeed shut out from the world, and dependent 



38 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 



upon their own little circle for intellectual and social enjoy- 
ment. Is it to be wondered at, that some of the first proprie- 
tors should have fled from scenes so uninviting and hazardous, 
even at the risk of forfeiting the lands which they had pur- 
chased ? 

In the autumn of 1722, a war had broken out between the 
Province of Massachusetts and the Eastern Indians, and in a 
short time its direful influences were felt in Connecticut — 
some of which have already been adverted to. The savages 
on our borders, many of whom had previously manifested a 
peaceable and conciliatory spirit, gave evidence that their pro- 
fessions of friendship were not to be relied upon. In the 
spring of 1723, the Committee of War, in Hartford, sent a 
military corps to keep garrison at Litchfield. At this time, 
there were about sixty male adults in the town, a large pro- 
portion of whom had families. The following are the names 
of those who are regarded as "first settlers" — or persons who 
became residents of the town during the first three years of 
the settlement : 



Nehemiah Allen, from 


Coventry. 


Joseph Bir^e, 
Joseph Bird, 


Windsor. 


Fai-mington. 


John Bird, 


11 


Samuel Beebe, 


Danbury. 


John Baldwin, 


Stratford. 


J^zekiel Buck, 


Wethersfield 


John Buel, 


Lebanon. 


Daniel Culver, 


11 


Samuel Culver, 


(1 


Hezekiah Culver, 


11 


Timothy Collins, 


Guilford. 


John Catlin, 


Hartford. 


James Church, 


11 


Joseph Gillett, 


Colchester. 


Abraham Goodwin. 


Hartford. 


Joshua Garritt, 


11 


William Goodrich, 


Wethersfield 


Jacob Griswold, 


" 


John Gay, 


Dedham, Ms 


Benjamin Gibbs, 


Windsor. 


Jacob Gibbs, 


11 


Benjamin Hosford, 


(( 


Joseph Harris, 


Middletown. 



Joseph Kilbourn, 
Thomas Lee, 
John Mai-sh, 
Joseph Mason, 
Nathan Mitchell, 
Samuel Orton, 
Edward Phelps, 
Thomas Pier, 
Paul Peck, Jr. 
John Peck, 
John Stoddard, 
Eleazer Strong, 
Supply Strong, 
Joseph Sanford, 
Lemuel Sanford, 
Nathaniel Smith, 
John Smith, 
Samuel Smedley, 
Thomas Tread way, 
Benjamin Webster, 
Josiali Walker, 
Joseph Waller. 
Nathaniel Woodruff, 



Wethersfield- 

Lebanon. 

Hartford. 

Stratford. 

Woodbury. 

Windsor. 

Stratford. 

Hartford. 

Wethersfield. 
Lebanon. 

Stratford, 

Taunton, Ms. 
11 

Woodbury. 
Lebanon. 
Hartford. 
Woodbury. 
11 •' 

Farmington. 



Such was the apprehension of danger from the Indians, dur- 
ing this period, that while one portion of the men were felling 
the forests, plowing, planting or reaping, others, with their 
muskets in hand, were stationed in their vicinity to " keep 
guard." In August of this year, (1723,) a meeting of the 



ERECTING GARRISONS. 39 

Householders of Litchfield was held " to consider of and agree 
upon some certain places to fortify or make Garrisons for the 
safety and pseservation of the inhabitants of said town." At 
this meeting it was resolved that four Forts or Garrisons should 
be erected in different sections of the town. The names of 
the persons designated to build these Forts, are here inserted, 
as the list is supposed to embrace all the proprietors of the 
township at that date. 

"For building the West Fort — Thomas Pier, Jacob Gris- 
wold, Ezekiel Buck, Nathan Mitchell Joseph Birge, Daniel 
Judson, John Stoddard, Daniel Culver, Timothy Seymour, 
Hezekiah Culver, Thomas Treadway, Lemuel Sanford, John 
Baldwin, Samuel Beebe and Joshua Boardman. 

" For the North Garrison — Thomas Lee, Lieut. John Buel, 
John Buel, Joseph Kilbourn, Joseph Kilbourn, (Jr.,) Nathan- 
iel Smith, William Goodrich, Eleazer Strong, Samuel Root, 
Samuel Somers, Josiah Walker, Nehemiah Allen and Supply 
Strong. 

"For the East Garrison — Nathaniel Hosford, Benjamin 
Hosford, Paul Peck, Edward Phelps, Samuel Culver, Joshua 
Garrett, John Caulkins, Joseph Gillett, Joseph Mason, Ben- 
jamin Webster, John Gay and Thomas Griswold. 

" For the South Garrison — John Marsh, John Peck, Benja- 
min Gibbs, Jacob Gibbs, Samuel Orton, John Bird, Joseph 
Harris, Abraham Goodwin, Widow Allen, Joseph Bird, Joseph 
Waller, Nathaniel Woodruif and Samuel Smedley." 

On the 1st of April, 172:4, Mr. John Marsh was chosen Agent 
of the town " to represent their state to the General Assembly 
concerning the settlement and continuing of their inhabitants 
in times of war and danger." 

In May, the subject of the liidian disturbances in this quar- 
ter occupied much of the time and attention of the Council of 
War and of the Legislature. The Indians on the western 
lands were ordered to repair immediately to their respective 
places of residence, and not to go into the woods without Eng- 
lishmen in company with them, " nor to be seen, contrary to 
this order, anywhere north of the road leading from Hartford 
to Farmington, Waterbury, and so on to New Milford." They 



40 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

■were warned to submit to this order on pain of being looked 
upon as enemies, and treated accordingly. Two hundred men 
from Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor, were directed to 
hold themselves in readiness to march at the shortest notice ; 
and sixty more from each of the counties of New Haven, Fair- 
field and New London, with their proper officers, were called 
for to supply the garrisons at Litchfield and New Milford, when 
the soldiers then at those posts should be withdrawn. Friend- 
ly Indians were to be employed in scouting with the English, 
and £20 each were to be paid for the scalps of the " enemy 
Lidians." An effective scout was to be kept marching in the 
woods north of Litchfield, between Simsbury, Westfield and 
Sackett's Farm, [or Sharon.] The thirty-two men, sent on a 
scout from Litchfield, were directed to be drawn off in ten 
days. It was also 

" Resolved, That orders be forthwith sent to Major Eells, 
that he impress thirty. two able-bodied men, with a Lieuten. 
ant, and send them to Litchfield to be improved in garrison- 
ing and scouting, as may be thought most advantageous by 
the said Lieutenant and the commissioned officers in Litch- 
field — and to continue in said service until they shall be releas- 
ed by further orders; and that Major Burr send orders to 
detail nine dfective men, with a Sergeant, to march to New 
Milford, to be employed in scouting for the protection of the 
frontier ; and a scout of six men are to be employed at Sims- 
bury, for the discovery of the enemy in that quarter ; — and all 
the aforesaid scouts are directed to take dugs with them into 
the service of scouthig ; and that the scout now out from Wind- 
sor, be drawn off on Tuesday next; and the scout now at 
Litchfield to draw off upon the present appointed scouts arriv- 
ing there." 

" The summer of 1724," says Mr. Woodruff, " was a period 
of excitement and alarm. The war between the English and 
the French was then prevailing, and the latter used great efforts 
to incite the ndrthern Indians to attack the frontier settlements 
of the whites." The Hon. Noah A. Phelps, in his History of 
Simsbury, remarks — " The conduct of the Indians at the north 
and west, during this year, and especially their hostile move- 



MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF WAR. 41 

menls in the vicinil// of Litchfield, induced the government to 
take such precautionary measures as the occasion demanded, 
in order to furnish protection to the weak and exposed settle- 
ments. A line of scouts was established, extending from Litch- 
field to Turkey Hills, curving around the most northerly and 
westerly settlements in Simsbury. On the 14th of June, 1724, 
Capt. Richard Case, of Simsbury, was directed to employ ten 
men on this scouting party, to rendezvous at Litchfield. The 
men employed in tliis service were Serg't. Jonathan Holcomb, 
John Hill, Nathaniel Holcomb, Joseph Mills, William Buell, 
Samuel Pettibone, Joseph Wilcoxon, Benjamin Humphrey, 
Nathaniel Westover and Charles Humphrey — all belonging to 
Simsbury. They continued in the service till October." 

Among the papers %on file in the office of the Secretary of 
State, is the following memorandum made by Gov. Talcott : 

" A brief account of the minutes of the Council of War Book, of 

men sent into the service this summer, from May 24, to October 6, 

1724: 

" After the Assembly rose, ten men were sent to Litchfield, till 
June 24. 

June 25 — Four men sent to Litclifield from Hartford. 

June 30 — INIajor Burr sent ten men, and Major Eles ten men, to 
New Milford and Litchfield. 

July 27 — Six men sent from Woodbury to keep garrison at She- 
paug twenty days. 

July 30 — Major Burr sent fifteen men, and Major Eles fifteen men, 
to New Milford, Shepaug and Litchfield. 

August 18 — Fifteen men were improved in scouts under the com- 
mand of Sergt Joseph Churchill,* at Litchfield and New Milford ; 
have orders sent to the oth instant of October to draw off and disband. 

October, 1724 JOSEPH TALCOTT." 

The Assembly, at the October Session, voted " that the gar- 
risons of soldiers at New Milford, Shepaug and Litchfield, be 
forthwith drawn off and disbanded ; and that Captain Joseph 
Minor, of Woodbury, give notice thereof to the officers under 
whose command said soldiers are, that they be drawn off ac- 
cordingly, by sending a copy of this to said officers." 

* Sergt. Joseph Churchill, of Wethersfield, presented a Memorial to the General 
Assembly, in May, 1725, stating that during the preceding summer he had been em- 
ployed in His Majesty's service for fifteen weeks at Litchfield, but had received no 
pay for Sundays. He therefore asks pay for fifteen Sundays. [Granted by the Low- 
er House ; lost in the Upper House.] 

6 



42 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

By our Town Kecords it appears that on the 15th of October, 
1724, a Memorial to the General Assembly was agreed upon, 
and ordered to be signed by John Marsh, in the name of the 
town, and sent to New Haven by the hand of Mr. Timothy 
Collins, to be delivered to the Court. This Memorial is not 
on record, but is fortunately preseved among the files in the 
Secretary's Office in Hartford. It is an impressive and inter- 
esting document, and eloquently details the trials and perils 
encountered by our fathers amid these now peaceful scenes. 
It here appears in print for the first time : 

" At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Litclifielcl, Oc- 
tober the 15th, 1824— 

"A Memorial of the distressed state of the Inhabitants of the Town 
of Litchfield, which we humbly lay before the Honorable General 
Assembly now sitting in New Haven : 

Mat it please your Honors to hear us in a few things. Inasmuch 
as thei*e was a prospect of the wai*'s moving into these parts the last 
year, the Governor and Council — moved with paternal regards for 
our safety — ordered Garrisons forthwith to be erected in this town. 
In obedience thereto, laying aside all other business, we engaged in 
that work, and built our fortifications without any assistance from 
abi'oad, whereby our seed-time in some measure was lost, and conse- 
quently our harvest this year small. The seat of the war in this col- 
ony (in the whole course of the concluding summer,) being in this 
town, notwithstanding the special care taken of us by the Honorable 
Committee of War, and the great expense the colony has been at for 
our security, yet the circumstances of our town remain very difficult 
in several respects. The danger and charge of laboring abroad is so 
great, that a considerable part of our improvable lands remote from 
the town lie unimproved, whereby we are greatly impoverished, so 
that many of our inhabitants are rendered incapable of paying their 
taxes which have been granted for the settling and maintaining of our 
ministry and building a meeting-house, (which we are yet destitute of,) 
whereby that great work seems to be under a fatal necessity of being 
neglected. 

Many of our Inhabitants are drawn off, which renders us very weak 
and unable to defend ourselves from the common enemy, and the du- 
ties of Watching and Warding are become very heavy. 

By reason of the late war, our lands are become of little value, so 
that they who are desirous of selling, to subsist their families and de- 
fray public charges which necessarily arise in a new place, are una- 
ble to do it. Your humble petitioners therefore pray this Honorable 
Court would be pleased to lake thought of our difficult circumstances, 
and spread the garment of pity over our present distress, which moves 
us to beg relief in several respects ; 

1. That our deserting proprietors, who do not personally inhabit, 



MEMORIALS. 43 

may be ordered to settle themselves or others upon their Rights, 
which will not only be an encouragement to those that tarry, and ren- 
der our burden more tolerable, but prevent much charge to the colony. 

2. That our Inhabitants may be under some wages, that they may 
be capable of subsisting in the town, and not labor under the difficulty 
of war and famine together. 

3. That some addition be made to the price of billeting soldiers, 
especially for this town, where the provision, at least a greater part 
of it, hath been fetched near twenty miles for the billeting of soldiers 
this year 

4. That some act be made concerning Fortified Houses, that the 
people may have free liberty of the use of said Houses as there is 
occasion. 

5. That there may be an explanation of the Act of the Governor 
and Council, made the last summer, which obliges every proprietor of 
a home lot to attend the military, by himself or some other pei*son in his 
room, as the law directs, in case a person hath fifty pounds in the 
public list; for many of our deserters have put off" their home lots and 
some of their lands, so that many of them have not a whole Right or 
a home lot in this place, and so escape execution upon that act. 

As to the Indians hunting in our woods, we submit to your Honors' 
ordering that affair as in your wisdom you shall think best for us. 

All of which we humbly recommend to the consideration of this 
Honoi'able Assembly, and ourselves your servants desiring Heaven's 
blessing to rest upon you, and that God Almighty may be with you, 
to direct in all weighty affairs which are before you, and make you 
rich blessings in your day and generation, your humble petitioners 
shall, as in duty bound, ever pray. JOHN MARSH, 

In the name and by desire of the rest." 

On this Memorial, a Committee of Conference was appoint- 
ed by the two branches of the Legislature, consisting of Samuel 
Eells and Matthew AUyn, Esquires, on the part of the Upper 
House, and Capt. John Fitch, Capt. David Goodrich and Mr. 
George Clark, on the part of the Lower House. The result 
of their deliberations was embodied in the following enactment, 
which passed both Houses at the October Session, 1724 : 

"Upon the Memorial of the Inhabitants of the Town of Litchfield — 
Be it Enacted and Ordained, by the Governor, Assistants and Dep- 
uties in General Court assembled, and by authority of the same, 

That whosoever hath or ought to have been an Inhabitant, and is 
a Proprietor of Lands within the said Town of Litchfield, or have de 
serted and left said Town since difficulties have arisen there on the 
account of an Enemy, and shall neglect, for the space of one month 
after the rising of this Assembly, to return to the said Town and there 
abide, or send some man m their room and stead to perform and do 
the necessary duties of Watching and Warding, and the like, during 



44 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

the continuance of the difficulties of the war, shall lose and forfeit all 
their right and estate in and upon any and all of the Lands aforesaid, 
and their estate, right and interest therein, unto the Corporation of 
Connecticut. And Further, it is Provided, That if any other man, 
being now a Proprietor and Inhabitant, or a Proprietor and ought to 
have been an Inhabitant in said Town, shall hereafter, during the 
continuance of fear and danger of the enemy, desert and leave the 
said Town, or neglect to repair thither and there personally abide, 
without constantly providing some other sufficient person in his room 
and stead, there to perform all duties as before mentioned in the 
case of those who have already deserted, shall likewise forfeit their 
estates in and to all the lands in the Town aforesaid, unto this Corpora- 
tion. And Further, it is Provided, That upon complaint made to the 
Committee of War, at Hartford, of or against any such deserter, upon 
their satisfaction of the truth thereof, the said Committee shall declare 
the forfeiture ; and the said Committee are empowei'ed to admit any 
other person who shall go and abide there in the room of the deserter 
and perform the necessary duties as aforesaid, and he shall hereafter 
receive a grant from this Court of the estate escheated as aforesaid for 
his confirmation therein. 

And it is Further Ordered, That five shillings per Aveek shall be 
allowed for billeting soldiers in Litchfield for the summer last past." 

On the 18th of January, 1724-'5, a meeting of the inhabi- 
ants of the town was held, on which occasion it was voted 
that a Committee should be chosen " to consider of and make 
application to the Council of War in behalf of the Town, for 
what they judge needful for the peace and safety of the Town 
in this time of trouble and danger." Rev. Timothy Collins, 
Mr. Nathaniel Hosford, Lieut. John Buel, Ensign Nathaniel 
Smith, Sergt. John Stoddard, Mr. Joseph Bird and Mr. John 
Marsh, were appointed said Committee. 

At a Town Meeting held on the 10th of May, 1725, " it was 
voted and agreed, that there shall forthwith be erected one 
good and substantial Mount, or place convenient for sentinels 
to stand in for the better discovering of the enemy and for the 
safety of said sentinels when upon their watch or ward ; that 
is to say, one Mount at each of the four Forts that were first 
agreed upon and are already built in said Town, which Mounts 
shall be built at the Town's cost, by order and at the discretion 
of such men as the Town shall appoint to oversee and carry on 
the above said work. At the same Meeting, Voted, That Jo- 
seph Kilbourn, shall take the care of building the Mount at the 
North Fort, and Samuel Culver shall take the care of building 



MEMORIAL. 45 

the Mount at the East Fort, and Jacob Griswold at the West 
Fort, and Joseph Bird at the South Fort." 

During the Legislative Session then next ensuing, the Com- 
mittee ah-eady named presented the following Memorial, viz. : 

" To the Honorable Governor, Assistants and Representatives, in Gen- 
eral Court convened — 

The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Litchfield humbly 
sheweth : That whereas your Petitioners, notwithstanding all that this 
Honorable Court hath done for us, which we accept with all thank- 
fulness, remain under great trouble by reason of the war, which hath 
so much hindered us in our husbandy, which hindrance yet remains 
upon us, and hath already greatly shortened our crops. If the war 
continues, we shall scarcely be able to raise our bread-corn or support 
ourselves in this i:)lace, without some relief, either by putting our In- 
habitants under some pay from the Government, or by some other 
way as your Honors in your wisdom shall think best for the whole of 
the Inhabitants ; and that something be further done concerning our 
non-residents, by reason of whose absence we are great sufferers ; and 
that some act be made concerning liberty in garrison-houses ; and that 
some money be granted for finishing our Garrisons, which we are 
very unable to do ourselves. All which your humble Petitioners 
submit to your Honors' great wisdom ; and that you may be made a 
rich and lasting blessing in your day and generation, your Petitioners 
shall, as in duty bound, ever pray. 

Dated at Litchfield the 25th day of May, A. D, 1725. 

JOHN HARSH, ] p .,. 

NATHANIEL HOSFORD, ^om«iittee or 
TIMOTHY COLLINS, V r^^^^^% 

JOHN BUEL, ' ^«^"^ °^ 

JOSEPH BIRD, 



Litchfield." 



The Upper House appointed His Honor the Deputy Gov- 
ernor and Major Wolcott a Committee on the Litchfield Me- 
morial ; Major John Burr and Messrs. Seymour and Leete 
were appointed a similar Committee on the part of the Lower 
House. The following Resolutions, which soon after passed 
both Houses, probably emanated from them : 

"This Assembly, taking into consideration the difficulties of the 
Town of Litchfield in this time of trouble with the Indians, and that 
sundry persons claiming Rights in said Town are not resident in 
the same, have therefore Resolved : 

1. That each person claiming a Right or Rights in said Town, that 
shall not be constantly residing in said Town, shall pay and forfeit, 
towards defraying tlie public charges in defending the same, the sura 
of £30 per annum for each Right he claims, and so pro rata for any 
time he shall be absent without allowance from Capt. Marsh, John 



46 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Buel and Nathaniel Hosford, or any two of them ; and by the same 
rule of proportion for part Rights. And if any such claimer shall 
neglect payment of the said forfeiture at the time and to the Commit- 
tee hereafter appointed in this Act, the said Committee are hereby 
fully empowered to sell so much of the Lauds in Litchfield claimed by 
such non-resident person, as Avill answer the sum so forfeited ; and all 
sales and alienations made of such Lands by the Committee, shall be 
good for the holding the same to the grantees and their heirs forever. 

And this Assembly appoint Major Roger Wolcott, Capt. Nathaniel 
Stanley, Esq., and Mr. Thomas Seymour, a Committee to take account 
of all forfeitures that shall arise by force of this act, and upon the non- 
payment ot the same, to make sale of the Lands as aforesaid. 

And it is Further Ordered, That all such forfeitures shall be paid 
to the said Committee at the State House in Hartford, on the first 
Monday in June, which will be in the year 1726 ; and the said Com- 
mittee are to deliver all such sum or sums as they shall receive by 
force of this act, unto the Treasurer of this Colony, taking his receipt 
for the same — the said Committee to make their accounts with the 
Assembly in October, provided nevertheless that the Right of Joseph 
Harris is saved from any forfeiture by force of this act. And it is 
further provided, that if any such claimer shall keep an able-bodied 
soldier in said Litchfield, who shall attend duty as the Inhabitants" do, 
such claimer shall be excused for his non-residence during such time. 

2. And it is Further Enacted, That all houses that are fortified in 
said Town, shall be free for the use of the people and soldiers in the 
garrison. 

3. That the Inhabitants of said Town shall be allowed five shill- 
ings and six pence per week for billeting soldiers. 

4. That Mounts shall be built in the Forts that are already made 
in said Town, at the public cost of the Colony ; and Capt. Marsh, John 
Buel and Nathaniel Hosford, or any two of them, are appointed to 
build the same, keeping fair accounts of their doings herein, and lay 
the same before the Committee for the War, who are directed to give 
orders to the Treasurer to pay what shall be justly due to them for 
their services. 

5. That all able-bodied young men that are dwellers in said Town 
and are eighteen years old and upwards, and have no right to any 
Lands in said Town, and shall constantly reside therein until October 
next, and do duty with the Inhabitants, shall be allow-ed three shillings 
per week out of the Public Treasury, until October next, unless the 
Committee for the War in Haxtford shall order to the contrary for 
part of said time. 

6. That every able-bodied man that is fit for service to the accep- 
tance of the commissioned officers, that hath a Right in said Town, 
and shall constantly reside therein and do his duty according to the 
command of the captain until October next, shall be allowed out of the 
Treasury eighteen pence per week, unless the Committee for the War 
shall order to the contrary for part of the time." 

lu consequence of the provision of the 4th Resolution, it was 



THE INDIAN WAR CONTINUES. 47 

" Voted, That the persons appointed by the Town to take the care 
of building the Mounts at the Forts, shall proceed no farther by virtue 
of tlieir orders from the Town, that so the Mounts may be built at the 
charge of the Colony." 

At the same Legislative Session, Messrs. Nathaniel Wat- 
son, of Windsor, and Matthew Woodruff, of Farmington, each 
presented a petition for a bounty for having shot an Indian 
during the preceding summer, while in the King's service at 
Litchfield. The statements of Messrs. Samuel Beebe, Shubael 
Griswold and Joseph Pinney, on the subject, are on file in 
Hartford. The following is from Mr. Beebe : 

" Samuel Beebe, of lawful age, testifieth and saith — That he heard 
Matthew Woodruff say that he thought he had not struck the Indian 
that he shot at, but thought he had overshot him. The next morning 
we went out to the place where we had the fight, and then said Wat- 
son went to the place where he stood when he shot at the Indian, and 
then directed a man to the spot where the Indian stood that he shot 
at, and there was the blood found very plentiful; and those that were 
there, followed the blood to the place where we did think the said In- 
dian did die, and further. The Indian that said Watson shot at, was 
about six or seven rods from the place where the Indian stood that 
Woodruff shot at. SAMUEL BEEBE. 

Litchfield, May the 24, 1725." 

The annexed Petition is also copied from the colonial files : 
"To the Honorable Joseph Talcott, Governor of His Majesty's 
Colony of Connecticut — Whereas, When your humble Petitioners were 
impressed to come up to Litchfield to keep garrison, we were encour- 
aged by our officers to come, because it was but for a little while we 
should be continued here, just till the Inhabitants could get their seed 
into the ground. That business being over, and our necessity to be at 
home being very great, we humbly pray your Honor to dismiss or ex- 
change us by the beginning of June ; whereby your Honor will great- 
ly oblige your Humble Petioners. JOSEPH ROSE, 
Litchfield, May 23, 1725. ■ In behalf of the rest." 

During the summer of 1725, the war with the Eastern Indians 
still continued, though it does not appear that the people of 
Litchfield suffered in consequence, except by being kept in a 
state of suspense and anxiety. At the October session of the 
Legislature, it was voted that " forasmuch as the continuance 
of the unhappy war between Massachusetts and the Eastern 
Indians is likely to endanger our frontiers, and the county of 
Hampshire, this Assembly empowers the Governor and the 
Committee of War at Hartford, to impress and send forth such 
forces as they shall think needful to defend our own frontiers ; 



48 HISTOKY OF LITCHFIELD. 

and in case of a threatened attack upon Hampshire county, a 
force may he sent to aid them, but they are not compelled to 
keep garrison there." 

It is not until a year later, (October, 1726,) that the records 
give indication that any immediate danger was apprehended 
by the people of this town. At this date, " upon news that the 
Indian enemy were coming down upon our frontiers," it was 
resolved " that there be forthwith thirty effective men raised in 
the towns of New Haven and Wallingford, to march to Litch- 
field, to be under the direction and command of Capt. John 
Marsh, of Litchfield, for the defense of said town — twenty of 
whom shall be raised in New Haven, and ten in Wallingford ; 
and that a Sergeant march with them directly from each of 
said towns ; and that the Major of the county make out his 
orders to the Captain in said town accordingly." 

Twenty effective men were at the same time ordered imme- 
diately to be raised in Milford, and marched to New Milford, 
to be under the command of Capt. Stephen Nobles, for the de- 
fense of that town. 

Captains John Marsh and Stephen Nobles were directed at 
once to " send forth small scouts, to call, and, in the name of 
the Assembly, to command, all the friendly Indians to retire 
to their respective towns or places where they belong, and not 
to be seen in the woods except with Englishmen." The friend, 
ly Indians were to be employed for the defense of the frontiers- 
and for scouting — and were to be paid eighteen pence per day 
while engaged in the latter service, and twelve pence per day 
for warding and keeping garrison in towns. Five men were 
directed to be sent from Woodbury for the defense of Shepaug 
until the danger should be over. Captains Minor and Preston 
were directed to order their Lieutenants to see to it that the 
men were forthwith sent. These men were placed under 
the command of Lieut. Ephraim Warner. 

Though Litchfield had been nominally incorporated, " with 
all the powers and privileges of the other towns in this colony," 
in 1719, she was yet without a Patent, or Town Charter. It 
appears to have been regarded by the settlers as a matter of 
importance as well as of etiquette, that the town should be 



APPLICATION FOR A PATENT. 49 

more fully recognized and protected, by letters patent under 
the great colonial seal. Accordingly, in May, 1723, John 
Marsh was appointed by his fellow-townsmen an Agent to apply 
to the General Assembly for this purpose — who presented to 
that body the following Petition : 

"To the Honorable Governor, Council and Representatives, in Gen- 
eral Court assembled at Hartford, May 9th, A. D. 1723. The Pe- 
tition of John Marsh, Agent for the Town of Litchfield, humbly 
sheweth : 

That this Honorable Assembly did give and grant to the Inhabi- 
tants of said town of Litchfield, all that land lying north of the town 
of Waterbury, and to begin at Waterbury north-west corner, and from 
thence to run in a west line to Shepaug river and to bound east on 
Waterbury river, and west by said Shepaug, and to run north seven 
miles and a half; as more at large by the record of said grant may 
appear. 

That the Inhabitants of said Litchfield, for great and valuable con- 
siderations, have made a purchase of the said Lands of the towns of 
Hartford and Windsor, who had a claim thereto by virtue of a grant 
anciently made by this Assembly to them. 

That the Inhabitants aforesaid have, thi-ough many fatigues, perils 
and dangers, removed themselves and families thither, and undergone 
the great hardships of settling a new town ; the which your Honors 
will easily conceive to be attended with, since it is so remote a settle- 
ment and a frontier to the government. So that if the blessing cff 
Heaven shall rest upon them, as it hath hitherto seemed to smile upon 
the undertaking, there is a prospect that they in a short time may be- 
come numerous, and succeed in some measure proportionable to the 
views they first had therein. 

That the Inhabitants, excited by an observation made on the unhap- 
py disputes that have oft arisen in towns by a long delay of settling 
and ascertaining their bounds, and determining the property of the 
Lands within, and being desirous in time to secure themselves from 
such uncomfortable and almost undoing disputes, have procured their 
lines to be run and necessary monuments to be made therein, on the 
north and south of said Litchfield, the procuring whereof (our present 
low circumstances considered, we being in our infancy,) must needs 
be very burthensome. 

The said Inhabitants, by their Agent aforesaid, do therefore humbly 
pray this Honorable Assembly to give them a more particular grant 
of the said town, and confirmation thereof, by a Patent under the seal 
of the Government, in due form, and your Honors' humble petitioners 
shall, as in duty bound, ever pray. JOHN MARSH." 

No sooner was this application known, than Woodbury sent 
in a remonstrance, particularly objecting to the southern 
bounds of Litchfield, as claimed by her. A Patent, however, 

7 



50 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 



was drawn up in clue form, bearing date, May 19, 1724. For 
some cause, (probably on account of the continued remon- 
strances of Woodbury,) the instrument was not officially grant- 
ed to the parties applying therefor, until several years subse- 
quent to its date. In May, 1731, Messrs. John Bird and Ben- 
jamin Hosford, " Agents for the Proprietors of the Town of 
Litchfield," presented a Memorial to the Legislature, stating 
that they are yet without a Patent, and praying that " the 
difficulty and contention and impoverishing lawsuits, because 
of an unsettled line, may be prevented by a Patent according 
to our purchase and grant," as is therein expressed. The 
Legislature, in response, gave directions that the proprietors of 
Woodbury should be notified of the application, and warned to 
appear before the Assembly, and show cause, if any they had, 
why the memorial should not be granted. As nothing further 
is found relating to the matter, it is presumed that the petition 
was this time successful. A copy of the Patent is here given, 
viz. : 

"The Governor and Company of the English Colony of Connecticut 
in New England, to all to whom these Presents shall come, 
Greeting : 

KNOW YE, That the said Governor and Company, by virtue of 
the power granted unto them by our late sovereign, King Charles the 
Second, of blessed memory, in and by His Majesty's Patent, under the 
great seal of England, dated the twenty-third day of April, in the four- 
teenth year of His Majesty's reign, and in pursuance thereof and in 
General Court assembled, according to charter, did, by their act, made 
May fourteenth. Anno Domini, 1719, upon the humble petition of 
Lieut. John Marsh, of Hartford, within the said Colony, and Dea. 
John Buell, of Lebanon, grant unto the said John Marsh and John 
Buell, and partners, settlers, being in the whole fifty-seven in number, 
liberty to settle a town westward of Farmington, in tlie county of 
Hartford, at a place called Bantam, which town was to be in length 
east and west, eight miles, three quarters, and twenty-eight rods, and 
in breadth, seven miles and an half — to be bounded east on Mattatuck 
river, west part on Shepaug river and part on the wilderness, north 
by the wilderness, and south by Waterbury bounds and a west line 
from AVaterbury corner to the said Shepaug river. And Ordered, 
that the said town should be called by the name of Litciified, as 
more fully appears by the said act. The said Governor and Company, 
by virtue of the afoi'esaid power, and by their special act bearing even 
date with these presents, for divers good causes and considerations 
them hereunto moving, have given, granted, and by these presents, 
for themselves, their heirs and successors, do fully, clearly and abso- 



THE PATENT. 61 

Ititely give, grant, raiify and confirm, unto the said John Marsh and 
John Buell, and the rest of the said partners, settlers of said tract of 
land [in their actual, full and peaceable possession and seizin being] 
and to their heirs and assigns, and such as shall legally succeed and 
represent them, forever, [in such proportions as they, the said partners 
and settlers, or any of them, respectively, have right in and are law- 
fully possessed of the same,] all the said tract of land now called and 
known by the name of Litchfield, in the county of Hartford aforesaid, 
be the same more or less, butted and bounded as followeth, viz : Be- 
ginning at the north east corner, at a tree with stones about it, standing 
in the crotch of JSIattatuck river aforesaid, and running southerly by the 
side of said river until it meets with Waterbury bounds, where is a 
well known white oak tree standing about fifteen rods west of said 
Mattatuck river, anciently marked with IS : IN : From thence run- 
ning west twenty three degrees thirty minutes south, to two white o^k 
trees growing out of one root, with stones about them, and "^iv^illflj^e 
mile and a half to Waterbury north west corner bound mark pnrid 
from thence west five degrees thirty minutes north to Shepaug river, 
where is a tree and stones about it butting upon Waterbury township ; 
then beginning at the first mentioned tree by Mattatuck river and run- 
ning westward into the wilderness, to an oak tree marked and stones 
laid around it ; then south to a crotch in the Shepaug river ; and thence 
by the westermost branch of Shepaug river to Woodbury bounds. 
And also all and singular, the lands, trees, woods, underwoods, wood- 
grounds, uplands, arable lands, meadows, moors, marshes, pastures, 
ponds, waters, rivers, brooks, fishings, fowlings, huntings, mines, min- 
erals, quarries, and precious stones, upon and within the said land. 
And all other rights, members, hereditaments, easements and com- 
modities whatsoever, to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining, 
so butted and bounded as is herein before particularly expressed or 
mentioned, and the reversion or the reversions, remainder or remain- 
dei's, rights, I'oyalties, privileges, powei's or jurisdictions whatsoever, 
of and in all and singular the said tract of land and premises hereby 
granted, and of and in any and every part and parcel thereof. And 
the rents, services and profits to the same incident, belonging or apper- 
taining — To Have and to Hold all the said tract of land, and all and 
singular other the premises hei'eby given or granted, or mentioned, or 
intended to be granted, with all the privileges and appurtenances 
thereof, unto the said John Marsh and John Buell, and the rest of the 
partners, settlers of the same, their heirs and assigns, to their only 
proper use, benefit and behoof, forever ; and to and for no other use, 
intent or purpose whatsoever. And the said Governor and Company, 
for themselves and their successors, have given and granted, and by 
these presents do give and grant, unto the said John Marsh and John 
Buell, and the rest of the partners, settlers of the tract of land herein 
before granted, their heirs and assigns; the said tract of land so butted 
and bounded as aforesaid, shall from time to time and at all times for- 
ever hereafter, be deemed, reputed, denominated, and be an entix-e town 
of itself, and shall be called and known by the name of Litchfield, 



52 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

in the county of Hartford, and that the aforesaid partners, settlers and 
inhabitants thereof, shall and lawfully may from time to time and at 
all times, forever hereafter have, use, exercise and enjoy all such rights, 
powers, privileges, immunities and franchises, in and among them- 
selves, as are given, granted, allowed, used, exercised and enjoyed, to, 
by, and amongst the proper inhabitants of other towns in this Colony, 
according to common approved custom and observance ; and that the 
said tract of land and premises hereby granted as aforesaid, and ap- 
purtenances, shall remain, continue and be unto the said John Marsh 
and John Buell, and the rest of the partners, settlers, their heirs and 
assigns, in proportion aforesaid forever, a good, peaceable, pure, per- 
fect, absolute and indefeasible estate of inheritance in fee simple, to 
be holden of His Majesty, his heirs and successors, as of His Majesty's 
Manor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent, in the Kingdom of 
England, in free and common soccage, and not in capite, nor by 
Knight's service — Yielding therefor, and paying unto our Sovereign 
Lord, King George, his heirs and successors forever, one fifth part of 
all ore of gold and silver Avhich, from time to time and at all times 
forever hereafter, shall be there gotten, had or obtained, in lieu of all 
services, duties and demands whatsoever. 

In witness whereof. The said Governor and Company have 
caused the Seal of the said Colony lo be hereunto affixed. 

Dated at Hartford, May the 1 ^th day, Anno regni regis Decimo 
Georgii Mag'ce. Britfce, Fran'ce, Byhern'oi, Anhoque Domini, 
One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty-Four, 1724. 

G. S ALTON STALL, Governor. 

By order of the Governor and ) 
Company in General Court > 
assembled. y 

Hek. Wyllis, Secretary." [seal.] 



CHAPTER IV, 

MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS. 

The preceding Memorials and Resolves so vividly portray 
the hardships and dangers here experienced by our ancestors, 
in their efforts to subdue the wilderness and render it a fitting 
abode for civilized men, that any extended comments would be 
quite superfluous. Indeed, little can be known of their histo- 
ry during the period of which we have written, except what is 
gleaned from these plaintive yet manly expositions of their cir- 
cumstances and feelings. It is difficult for us — surrounded 
as we are with the blessings of Peace snd Plenty — to realize 
that our predecessors amid these very scenes, were thus exposed 
to the combined evils of war and famine — bringing their food 
through tlie woods a distance of twenty miles ; tilling their 
fields only when protected by an armed guard; men, women 
and children, from time to time flying in alarm to the garrisons 
for safety ; and the whole adult male population of the town 
compelled, in turn, to keep public watch and ward through a 
succession of years ; at the same time, clearing off the forests, 
hunting wild beasts, and fighting the common enemy ! Is it 
not a matter of surprise as well as of gratitude, that during the 
entire continuance of the war on our frontiers, but one inhab- 
itant of Litchfield fell a victim to savage violence ? 

The reader' will have noted the interesting fact, that Roger 
"Wolcott (afterwards Governor) was, even at this early period, 
actively engaged in devising measures for the protection and 
defense of this town — little imagining, probably, that here his 
descendants were destined to find homes so cherished, and to 
act so distinguished a part, during the succeeding century. 

In a preceding chapter we have seen that the territory now 
embraced within the limits of this township, was covered by 



54 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

the Charter granted by Charles II. of England, in 1662, to the 
Governor and Company of the Colony of Connecticut ; that in 
1687, the colonial government conveyed it to the towns of 
Hartford and Windsor ; that in 1716, committees appointed by 
these towns, purchased of the Indians all their right and inter- 
est therein ; that in 1719, committees of these towns sold and 
conveyed these lands to John Marsh, John Buel, and their 
associates, in fee, for what was considered a fair equivolent. 
These latter gentlemen became the first individual owners of 
the specific tracts which were from time to time surveyed and 
laid out to them. 

It would seem that for some years after the settlement of the 
township, Hartford and Windsor continued to exercise a kind 
of guardianship over the affairs of Litchfield. Thus, in Feb- 
ruary, 1722-'3, Messrs. Hosford and Buel were appointed to 
treat with the committees of these towns concerning the non- 
resident proprietors of Litchfield. At a town meeting held 
on the 1st of April, 1724, it was " voted that the committees 
of Hartford and Windsor choose inhabitants ;" and in case 
these committees should select for residents any whom the 
authorities of this town should regard as " not wholesome," 
it was provided that the character of the new-comers should be 
judged by indifferent men, and if by them declared to be good 
inhabitants, then the cost was to be paid by Litchfield — other- 
wise, the cost was to be paid by the committees referred to. 

Even during the prevalence of the Indian wars, though 
much of their time was necessarily engrossed in providing for 
the means of subsistence and defense, our fathers were not 
unmindful of the ordinary duties pertaining to them as public- 
spirited citizens. Divers matters of a miscellaneous character 
came up for consideration in their town meetings, some of 
which will be noted in this chapter. 

The lowlands, south-west of the village — bordering upon 
Bantam River, the Little Pond, and Bantam Lake — are known 
on our early records as " Bantam Swamp, or the Flooded 
Lands." They cover about six hundred acres ; and, having 
been nearly free from timber and brush at the time of the first 
settlement, they wei'e regai-ded as very valuable on account of 



BANTAM SWAMP. 55 

the grass. In the original allotment of lands to the first pro 
prietors, each Right entitled the owner to four acres of meadow 
in this swamp. After all had thus received equal shares, a 
subsequent division of the balance was made. 

As early as April 5, 1725, Lieut. John Buel and Nathaniel 
Hosford were " appointed to state the bounds of the Flooded 
Lands, in order to laying out the same ; and if said Hosford 
and Buel cannot agree, then Joseph Kilbourn to be the third 
man to help in said work." At the same meeting, it was voted 
" that the clerk record no land laid out upon the Little Plain, 
until the difference concerning the same be issued." In order 
to understand the purport of the last record, it should be stated 
that a controversy had sprung up between Joseph Bird and 
Nathaniel Hosford, on one side, and the remaining proprietors 
on the other side — as to whether the "Little Plain" was a part 
of Bantam Swamp and ought to be laid out as such. The dis- 
pute waxed warm ; and it was at last determined to appoint 
two arbitrators from out of town, who should have power to 
select a third. The gentlemen agreed upon by the contending 
parties, were, Capt. Joseph Hawley and Mr. Samuel Root, both 
of Farmington, who made choice of Ensign Nathaniel Wads- 
worth, also of Farmington, to assist them in the arbitration. 
They made the following Report — 

" We, the subscribers, having heard the pleas of both parties, and 
considered them with tlie records, concerning the land in controversy, 
are of opinion and do give it as our judgment, that the hind called 
the Little Plain is no part of Bantam Swamp, nor ought to be laid out 
in lieu thereof; and that it is free to be laid out to make up the addi- 
tion to the ten acre lots. 

The charge of the arbitration is seventeen shillings ; and we oi'der 
that Lieut. Buel and John Bird pay the said charge — to Capt. Haw- 
ley seven shillings, to Ensign Wadsworth four shillings, and to Samuel 
Root six shillings. JOSEPH HAWLEY, 

NATH'L WADSWORTH. 

Farmington, Feb. 25, 1725-'6. SAMUEL ROOT." 

At a town meeting held, Dec. 21, 1725, (Mr. John Buel, 
Moderator,) Messrs. Jacob Griswold, Benjamin Webster and 
John Marsh, were appointed a committee to survey Bantam 
Swamp. In November, 1726, a tax of ten shillings on each 
Right was laid, to be expended by a committee in " lowering 



56 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

the natural ponds for the draining of the swamp;" and Messrs. 
John Buel, James Church and Joseph Bird, were appointed 
said committee. The object intended, however, appears not to 
have been accomplished ; for in March, 1731, and again in 
January, 1732, it was voted to make application to the Governor 
and Council for the same purpose. On the 30th of April, l73o, 
a vote was passed " to offer unto the Governor and Council 
Capt. Joseph Minor and Capt. William Preston, of Woodbury 
and Dea. Nathaniel Baldwin, of Litchfield, as a committee for 
the proprietors of Bantam Swamp, in order to commissionate 
them to drain said Swamp," &g. Many years afterwards, by 
blasting away the rocks and erecting a dam on the outlet of 
Bantam Lake, the swamp was partially drained ; but even now, 
during freshets or long rains, they are frequently overflowed. 

As was the case with the settlers of the New England towns 
generally, the founders of Litchfield regarded the subject of 
education as a matter of primary importance. As stated else- 
where, one sixtieth part of the township (about seven hundred 
acres,) w^as originally set apart for the support of schools. In 
December, 1725, eight pounds were appropriated from the town 
treasury "for hiring scliool-masters and school-dames" to in- 
struct the children in reading and writing for the year next 
ensuing ; and a like sum was ordered to be raised by a tax 
upon the parents or guardians of the children, to be gathered 
by the town collector. Messrs. Marsh, Buel, Hosford and 
Goodrich, were chosen a school committee. Two years later ^ 
ten pounds were paid out of the public treasury for the same 
object, with the proviso that four pounds of this sum should be 
given for the support of a writing school, and the balance " for 
teaching of children by school dames" — from which we are to 
infer that the female teachers did not give instruction in wri- 
ting-. The first reference made by the records relative to 
building a school house, is contained in the doings of a town 
meeting held Dec. 23, 1731 — (Mr. Joseph Kilbourn, Moderator) 
— which is as follows : " Voted to build a school house in ye 
center of ye town, on ye Meeting-House Green ; and Joseph 
Kilbourn, Jr., Ebenezer Marsh and John Gay, were chosen a 
committee to carry on said work." At the same time it was 



SCHOOL LANDS. 57 

voted to build the school house twenty feet square. The school 
committee were authorized to hire a school-master and set up a 
school during the succeeding fall and winter. 

Messrs. Jacob Griswold and Benjamin Gibbs were appointed 
in December, 1727, to run the lines and set up monuments 
" between the School Lots and Pine Island." 

The question as to how the School Lands should be disposed 
of to the best advantage, appears to have been very difficult to 
settle. On the 12tli of March, 1729, it was voted to sell them 
for one thousand pounds ; and Messrs. Marsh and Bird were 
designated to manage the sale. Some one, doubtless, called in 
question the right of the town to make such a sale ; as, a week 
later, the inhabitants, in general town meeting convened, ap- 
pointed Mr. Marsh their Agent to apply to the General Assem- 
bly " for liberty to make sale of the school lands in witchfield.'' 
The application was unsuccessful ; but the people soon found 
a way to evade the letter of the law. On the 29th of Novem- 
ber, 1729, it was " voted that the School Right in Litchfield 
should be leased out for the maintenance of a school in said 
Litchfield for nine hundred and ninety-nine years ensuing.''* 
Messrs. Marsh, Buel, Hosford and Bird, were appointed a com- 
mittee to lease the lands accordingly. As if apprehensive that 
even this lease might ultimately expire and thus give their 
descendants unnecessary trouble, with a far-reaching glance 
into futurity, they proceeded to bind their successors " in ye 
recognisance of ten thousand pounds lawful money, to give a 
new lease of said Right at the end of said term of nine hun- 
dred and ninety-nine years, if there shall be occasion''^ ! ' 

In pursuance of these votes, the committee appointed for 
that purpose, on the 15th of April, 1730, leased to sundry in- 
dividuals the School Right for the time designated; the grantee 
paying twenty-seven pounds annually for eight years, for the 
support of the School ; and the ninth year, paying to the 
selectmen four hundred and fifty pounds, to be forever kept for 
the support of a School in Litchfield. To the lease was an- 
nexed the following 

" Postscript. — Before signing and sealing, the above-men- 
tioned signers and sealers agreed, that whoever occupies and 



58 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

improves all the above land or lands, or any part of them, shall 
pay all rates or taxes that shall arise upon them or any part of 
them, during the whole term of the lease." 

In the year 1767, it was " voted to divide the money for 
which the School Right was sold, between the old Society, the 
South Farms Society, and the Church of England, in proportion 
to the list of each part." 

The subject of" seating the meeting-house," often came up 
for action in town meeting, and produced not a little commo- 
tion. In some of the old towns whence the Litchfield settlers 
came, the following order was observed in this matter, viz. : 
1. Long public service. 2. Dignity of descent. 3. Rank in 
the Grand List. 4. Age. 5. Piety, &c. This order was in 
good degree discarded by our early Litchfield ancestors. Va- 
rious methods were tried by them, but generally without any 
very satisfactory result. In December, 1735, the town appoint- 
ed as a committee for this work, the following persons, viz., 
Sergt. Culver, Joseph Kilbourn, Jr., Ebenezer Marsh, John 
Gay and Supply Strong. At the same time this committee 
were thus instructed to act, to wit : " Every man's list for four 
years past shall be added togetber, and every man's age be 
reckoned at twenty shillings per year, to be added to his list ; 
and for them that have not four lists, they shall be seated by 
the last list, or according to the discretion of the committee." 

The committee proceeded according to these instructions, 
but the result did not suit. Their doings were ordered to be 
set aside; anew committee was appointed, with no other in- 
structions than to act in accordance with their best judgment 
in the premises. Their action, for a wonder, was silently ac- 
quiesced in on this occasion. 

In December, 1726, it was ordered that the people should be 
notified of the occurrence of each Town Meeting, " by a note 
set up on the sign-post and on the grist-mill door, seven days 
before the meeting ; and said note shall specify the time and 
place and alGfairs of the meeting ; and the Grand Meeting shall 
be on the 2d Tuesday in December annually." At a later 
date, notices of town meetings were directed to be " posted on 
all the grist mill doors, and on the school-house door in South 
Farms." 



MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. 59 

In May, 1728, it was voted to petition the General Assembly 
for a tax upon all the undivided land in the town not already 
put in the list, of five shillings per hundred acres, each year for 
the space of four years. The prayer of the petitioners was read- 
ily granted, and in the-following December, Messrs. Marsh and 
Buel were appointed to lay the tax " according to the grant 
made by the Assembly." 

Our boundary lines have not unfrequently called for the 
action of the town. Naugatuck river on the east, and the 
Shepaug (in part) on the west, are " natural boundaries " 
which could not easily be mistaken. The north and south 
bounds, however, were for along time not very clearly defined. 
In the words of the Patent, the town was bounded " north by 
the loilderness^^ and south by Woodbury and Waterbury, with 
no other visible bounds than marked trees and heaps of stones. 
Ill the Patent previously granted to Woodbury, that town is 
described as being " bounded north by the commons.''^ It is 
fair to presume, that when the trees and stone-heaps disap- 
peared, some doubts might arise as to the precise locality of 
the lines described. 

It appears by the public records that as early as 1727, the 
accounts of Messrs. Joseph Bird, James Kilbourn and John 
Bird were adjusted " for meeting the Woodbury men, in order 
to perambulate." A year later, Messrs. Nathaniel Hosford 
and John Bird were chosen agents " to act in the controversy 
between Litchfield and Woodbury." In 1731, the gentlemen 
last named were re-appointed on a committee for a like pur- 
pose — or, as the record has it, " to enquire and make search 
what light can be had concerning our line against Woodbury." 
Subsequently, during the same year, it was voted in town 
meeting to " take some method to settle our south-west bounds 
according to our Grand Deed and Grant." At the same meet- 
ing, Messrs. Hosford and Bird were chosen " to carry on said 
affair, and trying to agree, and to agree, with Woodbury ; and 
if they don't agree with them, to go to the General Court next, 
and endeavor to get a Patent according to our Deed and 
Grant." A tax of three shillings was laid on each undivided 
Right, to defray the expenses. Some eleven years after, (in 



60 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

May, 1742,) the records inform us that this tax of three shill- 
ings on a Right had proved insufficient for the purpose intended? 
and a further tax of one shilling and six-pence on each Right 
then undivided, was laid for the furtherance of the same object. 
How the controversy with Woodbury was finally settled, does 
not appear. The only alteration of any consequence, ever made 
in our limits as originally defined, was in this south-west cor- 
ner of the town. Litchfield, at this point, formerly ran down 
some distance below the junction of the Bantam with the She- 
paug, embracing the beautiful valley south of Mount Tom, then 
and still known as " Davies' Hollow." Upon the incorpora. 
tion of the town of Washington, in 1779, (which had previously 
been a part of Ancient Woodbury,) the Litchfield line was so 
altered as to run across the top of Mount Tom, thus ceding 
Davies' Hollow, and the lands adjacent, to Washington. 
Litchfield, in town meeting assembled, at first resolved to op- 
pose this summary method of robbing her of a portion of her 
original domain, and appointed the Hon. Andrew Adams an 
Agent to appear before the General Assembly in her behalf. 
It was subsequently voted not to oppose the project ; and, in 
stead. Colonel Adams was appointed to present a Petition to 
the Legislature that the town of Washington be cited to " reg- 
ulate the line of the town." The line was soon after amicably 
agreed upon, and has not since been a subject of contention. 

In December, 1753, Capt. Stoddard and Supply Strong were 
appointed a committee to "measure from the crotch of the 
Shepaug river to the north-west corner of the town, with Mr. 
Roger Sherman, County Surveyor." 

There seems also to have been some uncertainty and dispute 
respecting our northern boundary, though the matter never 
assumed a serious aspect. At a town meeting in February, 
1745-'6, Messrs. John Buel, Joseph Bird and Supply Strong, 
were appointed a committee " to settle the line between Litch- 
field and Goshen and Torrington." In May, 1754, Messrs. 
Ebenezer Marsh a)id Benjamin Webster " were appointed 
Agents to represent the town with respect to the north line, 
before the General Assembly at Hartford ;" and in February, 
1755, Captain Moses Stoddard and Messrs. Supply Strong and 



WILD BEASTS. 61 

Jonathan Kilbourn, were appointed " to go with the Surveyor 
of the County to the North Line of Litchfield." 

The colonial files contain a statement in the hand-writing of 
tlie famous Roger Sherman, and bearing his signature, giving 
a minute account of the running of the north line of Litchfield? 
by him, as County Surveyor, in 1754 ; also several affidavits 
on the same subject from Edward Phelps, Moses Stoddard, 
Jonathan Kilbourn, Supply Strong, Ebenezer Buel, Thomas 
Catlin, John Bird, and others. As the bounds, however, were 
subsequently fully established in accordance with the claims 
of this town, and have not been a matter of controversy for the 
last eighty years, the publication of the evidence adduced can 
answer no good purpose. 

The boundaries of South Farms were established and defined 
iu 1767 ; those of Northfield in 1794 ; and those of Milton in 
1795 — at the time of the organization of these parishes. 

It is an interesting fact, and one not generally known, that 
the town of Goshen ivas organized at the house of Dea. John 
Buel in West-street, in this village, which stood on the site now 
owned and occupied by Mr. Thomas Leverett Saltonstall. Ou 
the 27th of September, 1738, the proprietors of Goshen (ori_ 
ginally called New Bantam,^ met at the place designated, 
and elected Dea. Buel Moderator, and Capt. Joseph Bird, 
Clerk. They then adjourned to meet at the same place at 8 
o'clock the next morning, when the organization of the town 
was completed. Dating from this day, the centennial anniver- 
sary of Goshen was celebrated on the 28th of September, 1838 
— on which occasion an interesting historical discourse was de- 
livered by the Rev. Grant Powers. Several of the original 
proprietors of Goshen were residents of Litchfield. 

Mr. Morris remarks — " Many years after the settlement of 
this town, deer, bears, and wild-turkeys, were numerous. 
Deer and bears were taken by hunters between the years 1760 
and 1770, and turkeys at a later period. Wild-cats occasion- 
ally visit us, and destroy sheep and lambs., A small tract near 
the north-east part of the town, is rough and ledgy, and affords 
them a refuge from hunters and their dogs. Considerable 
mischief was done by them in the winter of 1811-'12." 



02 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Mr. Gibbs, the historian of the Administrations of Washing- 
ton and Adams, (vol. i. p. 9,) writing of the boyhood of the 
younger Wolcott, (1765-'78,) draws the following picture of 
this town as it was seventy and eighty years ago : — " At a pe- 
riod much later than this, Litchfield was on the outskirts of 
New England civilization, and presented a very different aspect 
from its now venerable quiet. The pickets which guarded its 
first dwellings were not yet decayed. The Indian yet wandered 
through its broad streets, and hunters as wild as our present 
borderers, chased the deer and the panther on the shores of the 
lake. The manners of its inhabitants were as simple and prim- 
itive as those of their fathers a century back, in the older set- 
tlements on the Connecticut. Traveling was entirely on 
horseback, except in winter, and but a casual intercourse was 
carried on with the distant towns. Occasionally, and more 
frequently as they became more interesting, tidings reached 
them from Boston, and even from the old world." 

There are persons yet living, who remember when bears and 
wolves were hunted in " Blue Swamp," and deer and wild- 
turkeys were frequently seen within two miles of the Court 
House ;* when Indians, in companies of twenty or thirty, were 
accustomed to make their annual visits to this town, encamp- 
ing on Pine Island or along the lake-shore — the men employ- 
ing themselves in hunting and fishing, while the squaws made 
and peddled baskets and brooms. Foxes, minks, muskrats, 
rabbits, woodchucks and raccoons, are-noiv frequently trapped 
within the limits of this township. Snipes, quails, partridges 
and wild-ducks, frequent our woods or lakes ; while our waters 
abound in trout, suckers, eels, perch, roach, and pike or pick- 
erel. The pickerel, however, is not a native. In April, 1779, 
the town voted, " on request of Capt. John Marsh, that he 
might have the exclusive Pickerel Fishing in the Loon [or 
Cranberry] Pond, for the space of twenty years, provided he 
shall at his own expense procure Pickerel to breed and propa- 

*Capt. Salmon Buel, (now in his 92d year,) has seen wild deer in the swamp between 
his present residence and the village. Mr. Amos Benton informs we that in 1774, 
(he then being a small child,) a bear passed but a few rods from him, while he was 
playing by the brook near his present residence. The alarm was given, and his father 
and some of the neighbors started in pursuit — but did not succeed In killing him. 



THE BANTAM INDIANS. 63 

gate therein, in a reasonable time." It seems, however, that 
no advantage was taken of this privilege ; but in the winter of 
1809, twenty-eight pickerel were brought from a pond in South- 
wick, Massachusetts, and put into Cranberry Pond. Their 
progeny has greatly increased, so that they are caught in abun- 
dance in the several lakes of the township. In Bantam Lake 
they often grow to a large size — sometimes weighing five and 
a half and even six pounds. They are familiarly termed by 
our fishermen, " Bantam Shad," and find a ready market in 
the village, as well as afford congenial sport to amateur anglers 
from city and country. By-Laws have from time to time been 
passed by the town for the protection of our " fisheries," by 
prohibiting the drawing of seines and nets, which have had a 
good effect. 

Of the Indians who inhabited this township previous to its 
settlement by the whites, comparatively little can now be 
gleaned. President Stiles, in his " Itinerary," tells us the 
Bantam Indians were on terms of allegiance with the Scata- 
cooks, the Pootatucks, and Weatogues. Mr. Cothren suppo- 
ses they were but a clan of the Pootatuck or Woodbury tribe. 
This seems not improbable, as the aboriginal names signed to 
the purchase-deed of Litchfield, (dated at Woodbury, March 
2d, 1715-'16,) are all mentioned in the list of sachems, saga- 
mores and principal men of that tribe. Some of them doubt. 
less belonged in Bantam, and were familiar with the bounds of 
the territory disposed of. The fact, too, that a " reservation" 
was required for the hunting houses of the clan, favors such a 
supposition. Chusquenoag and Weroamaug (or Raumaug) 
whose names stand first on the deed — one as a grantor and 
the other as a witness — were Sachems of the Wyantenucks, 
who were the nearest neighbors of the Bantams on the west 
and, (according to the same authority,) constituted another 
clan of the Pootatucks. 

We have seen how much trouble was occasioned to the early 
settlers by the savages. It is by no means certain, however, 
that the murderers of Harris or the capturers of Griswold be • 
longed to the Bantam clan. The Mohawks — a fierce, warlike, 
roving tribe — were a terror not only to the whites but to all 



6i HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

the Indian tribes of Western Connecticut. Even in times of 
peace, they were accustomed to make their annual visits to the 
sea-side for purposes of fisliing — subsisting, on their excursions, 
by plundering their weaker brethren along the route. With 
the fearful cry — " We are come, we are come, to suck your 
blood !" they rushed on from one hamlet or encampment to 
another, spreading terror before them, and leaving little but 
desolation behind them. When they made tlieir appearance, 
the Connecticut Indians would raise the cry from hill to hill 
— " The Mohawks ! the Mohawks !" and fly to some place of 
refuge, without attempting any defense. Sometimes they were 
pursued to the very threshold of their wigwams, and slain in 
the presence of their families. It is stated that in these and 
other cases of sudden alarm, all the tribes on tlie Housatonic, 
and between the Housatonic and the Naug^tuck, could com- 
municate with each other, from the Sound two hundred miles 
northward, in a few hours, by cries and rude telegraphic signals 
from a chain of " Guarding Heights" which they had estab- 
lished. One of these "Heights" was Mount Tom in Litchfield.* 
As the Bantam fishing-grounds were nearly in a direct line 
from the Mohawk country to the Sound at Milford, (which 
was long tlieir favorite place of resort,) they would naturally 
enough pass this way. On the borders of our Great Lake they 
would encounter not only the native clans of the vicinity, but 
others who had come hither to fish and hunt. If there were 
warriors enough on the ground to make a stand against the 
intruding Mohawks, a fierce and bloody conflict would ensue. 
That such battles have been fought on the now quiet rural 
shores of our beautiful lake, and for a mile or two northward, 
is clearly indicated by the stone arrow-heads which are scattered 
in such profusion in the soil. It is true, they are found in 
other parts of the township, but nowhere in such abundance 
as in the locality described. The writer remembers, as one 
of the pastimes of his childhood, following in the furrow be- 
hind the plowman, on the West Plain, for tlie express purpose 
of picking up these interesting memorials of a by-gone race — 
then, of course, regarded simply as playthings. These arrow- 

*Cothren's Hist, of Ancient Woodbury, p. 87. 



INDIAN RELICS. 65 

heads are of various shapes and sizes, and are made of different 
kinds of flint — black, white, red, and yellow ; showing them to 
have been manufactured by different and probably distant 
tribes. Divers other Indian relics have, in years past, been 
found in Litchfield, but, by reason of the want of some conven- 
ient place of deposit, they have generally been scattered and 
lost. Some of these, according to the accounts we have received, 
were of curious and skillful workmanship. Since the organ- 
ization of " The Litchfield County Historical and Antiquarian 
Society," in 1856, quite a variety of stone hatchets, pestles 
arrows, pipes, chisels and dishes, have found their way into its 
cabinet. In the autumn of 1834, a piece of " aboriginal sculp- 
ture" was found in this town, which is thus noticed by the 
Enquirer of October 2d, of that year : — " A discovery of a sin- 
gular CARVED STONE IMAGE, or BUST, representing the head, neck 
and breast of a human figure, was made a few days since on 
the Bantam River, about forty or fifty rods above the mill-dam, 
half a mile east of this village. Some boys happened to dis- 
cover near the banks, the head of the figure projecting above 
the ground, which so excited their curiosity that they imme- 
diately dug it out and conveyed it to the mill, where it is for 
the present deposited. The image, which is apparently that 
of a female, is carved from a rough block of the common gran- 
ite, some part of which is considerably decayed and crumbly, 
yet must have required more patient and persevering labor 
than generally belongs to the character of the natives ; and 
though in point of skill and taste, it falls something short of 
Grecian perfection, it is certainly ' pretty well for an Indian.' 
For what purpose it was intended — whether as an idol for 
worship, or the attempt of some fond admirer to preserve and 
immortalize the lovely features of his dusky fair one, or 
whether it was merely a contrivance of some long-sighted wag 
of old to set us Yankees a-guessing, or even whether it is one 
hundred or five hundred years old — all is unrevealed ; though 
no doubt some tale is hanging thereby, if we could only find it 
out. All our American antiquities have this interesting pe- 
culiarity, that we know nothing of their history. We have not 
even the twilight of fabulous story to relieve our curiosity. 

9 



66 HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

The Past is hidden in deeper obscurity than the Future." Tliis 
curious relic is now preserved in the cabinet of Yale College. 

Presuming our historians are correct in the opinion that the 
Pootatuck Tribe was spread over the present townships of 
Woodbury, Bethlem, Litchfield, New Milfordand Washington, 
whatever relates to them can hardly prove uninteresting to 
my readers. 

It has been asserted that the Pootatucks sometimes offered 
human sacrifices to appease or propitiate their gods. In proof 
of this, President Stiles in his "Itinerary" preserves an ac- 
count of a great powoimng', which took place at a village of 
this tribe, about the year 1720. Mr. De Forest gives the sub- 
stance of Dr. Stiles' account, as follows : The scene was wit- 
nessed by a Mrs. Bennett, then a little girl ; and after her 
death, was related by one of her children to the President. 
The ceremonies lasted three days, and were attended by five 
or six hundred Indians, many of whom came from distant 
towns, as Hartford and Farmington. While the Indians, exci- 
ted by their wild rites and dark superstitions, were standing in 
a dense mass, a little girl, gaily dressed and ornamented, was 
led in among them by two squaws, her mother and aunt. As 
she entered the crowd, the Indians set up their " high pow- 
wows," howlmg, yelling, throwing themselves into strange 
postures, and making hideous grimaces. Many white people 
stood aroimd' gazing at the scene ; but such was the excited 
state of the savages, that, although they feared for the child's 
safety, none of them dared to interfere, or to enter the crowd. 
After a while the two squaws emerged alone from the press, 
stripped of all their ornaments, and walked away, sheddmg 
tears and uttering mournful cries. The informant, deeply in- 
terested in the fate of one so near her own age, ran up to the 
two women, and asked them what they had done with the lit- 
tle girl. They would not tell her, and only replied that they 
should never see that little girl again. The other Indians also 
remained silent on the subject ; but Mrs. Bennet believed, and 
she said that all the English then present believed, that the In- 
dians had sacrificed her, and that they did at other times ofifer 
human sacrifices. 



MR. BOARDMAN'S long PRAYER. 67 

The Sachem whose residence and private domains were 
nearest to Litchfield, and with wliom the early settlers of the 
town were most intimate, was Weroamaug, or Raumang. His 
reservation in the parish of New Preston was adjacent to the 
reservation of the Bantam Indians, over whom his jurisdic- 
tion extended. He was a true friend of the whites, and in his 
last years jDrofessed to have become a convert to Christianity. 
The Rev, Daniel Boardman, who was ordained as the minister 
at New Milford, in 1716, became much interested in him. In. 
a letter to a friend, he calls him " that distinguished sachem, 
whose groat abilities and eminent virtues, joined with his ex- 
tensive dominion, rendered him the most potent prince of that 
or any other day in this colony ; and his name ought to be 
remembered by the faithful historian, as much as that of any 
crowned head since his was laid in the dust." During Rau- 
maug's last illness, Mr. Boardman constantly attended him- 
and endeavored to confirm his mind in the' vital truths of the 
Christian faith. It was a sad place for the dying chieftain ; 
for a majority of his people, and even his wife, were bitter op- 
ponents of the white man's religion, and used all their influ- 
ence against it. One day when the good pastor was standing 
by the sachem's bedside, the latter asked him to pray, to which 
he assented. It happened that there was a sick child in the 
village, and a powow was in attendance, who had undertaken 
to cure it with his superstitious rites. As soon as the clergy- 
man commenced his prayer, Raumaug's wife sent for the 
medicine-man and ordered him to commence his exercises at 
the door of the lodge. The powow at once set up a hideous 
shouting and howling, and Mr. Boardman prayed louder, so 
that the sick man might hear him above the uproar. Each 
raised his voice .louder and louder as he went on, while the In- 
dians gathered around, solicitous for the success of their pro- 
phet. The powow was determined to tire out the minister — 
and he, on the other hand, was quite as fully resolved not to 
be put to silence in the discharge of his duty by the blhid wor- 
shiper of Satan. The invincible minister afterward gave it as 
his belief that he prayed full three hours, before he was per- 
mitted to come off conqueror. The powow having completely 



&8 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD, 

exhausted himself with his efforts, gave one unearthly yell, 
and then, taking, to his heels, never stopped till he was cooling 
himself up to his neck in the HousatOnic. Raumaug died 
about the year 1735 — or, some fifteen years after the first set- 
tlement of Litchfield. 

In consequence of the frequent alarms on account of the 
Indians, the settlement of the town was greatly retarded. 
Other Memorials, of a later date than those given in the chap- 
ter preceding this, complain of the difficulties which the set- 
tlers still encountered, and ask for legislative interference in 
their behalf. Indeed, for more than thirty years after the 
Garrisons were erected, they were resorted to with more or 
less frequency, by individuals and families, on account of ap- 
prehended danger. One of these Garrisons stood near the 
present residence of Mr. Holmes 0. Morse, on Chestnut Hill, 
and was remembered by Mr. Elisha Mason, who died in this 
village no longer ago than May 1st, 1858. Another stood one 
mile west of the Court House, on the north side of West-street, 
opposite the homestead of Mr. Benjamin Kilbourn. Some of 
the remains of the last-mentioned fort were recently discovered. 

Good penmanship and correct orthography were not univer- 
sal accomplishments, even among Town Clerks, a century and 
a quarter since. As a general thing, in copying from records 
or files, I have not attempted to follow either the spelling or 
the punctuation of the original documents. In these respects 
the records are sometimes as quaint and peculiar as were the 
language and manners of the people themselves in a former 
age. Here is a specimen or two : " Voted that ye owners of 
shoolers sent to school for time to come shal find fire wood for 
ye schooll ;" " Voted to ajurn this meeting to to morah Sun 
half an hour High at Night." These are by no means the 
vjorst cases to be found. A few other town votes are here 
correctly rendered, as curiosities in their way : Voted to ap- 
point Lieut. Buel and Samuel Orton " to assist the Clerk in 
perusing the town votes and to conclude what shall be trans- 
cribed into the town book, and what not :" " Voted that sheep 
shall be free commoners ;" " Voted that a Basin for Baptism 
be procured, and that the money be drawn out of the Town 



DEATH OF JOHN BUEL AND JOHN MARSH. 69 

Treasury to pay for the same ;" Voted liberty to tlic Rev. 
Timothy Collins " to erect a Blacksmith's Shop joining to his 
fence the backside of the meeting-house ;" Scrgt. John Bird 
was " chosen Quorister to tune the Psalm in the public wor- 
ship." Many other transactions of the town, equally primitive 
in their character, might be given — but these are sufficient to 
indicate the great change that a century has wrought in the 
nature of much of the business done at our town meetings. 

It is a sad commentary on the frail, tenure of human life, 
that, in every new settlement, no sooner have the pioneers 
erected their huts and commenced clearing up their lands, than 
it becomes necessary to provide a resting-place for the dead. 
The Burying Ground west of our village was set apart for that 
purpose by the first settlers of the place, and for many years 
was the onli/ cemetery within the limits of the township. In 
this humble and now almost forsaken enclosure, rest side by 
side, sometimes in undistinguished graves, legislators,judges, 
mechanics, farmers, congressmen, paupers, merchants, maidens 
— parents and children — the lovely, the loving, and the beloved 
— pastor and people — the village patriarch and the infant of 
yesterday — pioneers, statesmen, peasants, officers, soldiers, 
slaves — the red warrior of the forest, and the beautiful-browed 
daughter of his Saxon successor — lawyers, and juries, and cli- 
ents, and criminals — awaiting in hope or fear their final sum- 
mons and destiny. Sweet be their slumbers, and glorious their 
awakening ! 

At the close of the first thirty years after the settlement of 
the town commenced, a large proportion of its founders had 
exchanged a life of labor and weariness for the repose of the 
grave. Generally, they reached a good old age, and, by the 
gradual decay of nature, passed gently and almost impercepti- 
bly down the valley of years. Among these, were the two 
most conspicuous and useful men among the original propri- 
etors of the townshiiD — John Marsh and John Buel. A brief 
outline of the history of these men, will close this chapter. 

John Marsh had long been a prominent citizen of Hart- 
ford before he interested himself in the Western Lands ; and 
from the time when he came out to "view the new plantation," 



70 5i< ' .."sH HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

in May, 1715, till about the year 1738, his name was intimate- 
ly associated with the history of Litchfield. I need not reca- 
pitulate the many ways and times in which he was called upon 
bj his fellow-citizens to serve them in public employments, as 
detailed on the preceding pages. He served this town in the 
various offices within her gift during the entire period of his 
residence here. While an inhabitant of Hartford, his na- 
tive town, he was often a Representative in the Legislature, a 
Justice of the Peace, an Associate Judge of the County Court, 
and a member of the Council of AVar. He returned to Hart- 
ford in his old age, and died there. His remains lie interred 
in the old Burying Ground back of the Center Chiirch. His 
children remained in this town, and his descendants here and 
elsewhere are very numerous. 

John Buel was about fifty years of age when he became a 
resident of this town, and had previously filled the office of 
Deacon of the Church in Lebanon. That portion of our histo- 
ry which has already been given, affords a sufficient guarantee 
of the estimation in which he was held by his fellow-citizens. 
He was repeatedly elected to almost every office within their 
gift, besides being appointed on nearly all the most important 
committees. As a Deacon in the Church, Captain of the 
Militia, Selectman, Treasurer, Representative and Justice of the 
Peace, he discharged his duties efficiently and faithfully. A 
brief anecdote (as given by the Rev. Mr. Powers, in his Cen- 
tennial Address at Goshen,) will serve to illustrate the bevo- 
lence of his character : Li the winter of 1740-'41, a man came 
from Cornwall to purchase some grain for himself and family, 
who were in great need, and was directed to Deacon Buel. 
The stranger soon called, and made known his errand. The 
Deacon asked him if he had the money to pay for the grain. 
He answered affirmatively. " Well," said the Deacon, "I can 
show you where you can procure it." Going' with the strag- 
ger to the door, he pointed out a certain house to him, saying, 
" There lives a man who will let you have grain for your 
money. I have some to spare, but I must keep it for those 
who have no moneys Deacon Buel departed this life, April 
6th, 1746, aged 75 years. Hie wife survived him twenty-two 



CHARACTER OF OUR PEOPLE. 71 

years. Both were interred in the West Burying Ground. 
The inscription on the tomb-stone of the latter is as follows : 
"Here lies the body of Mrs. Mary, wife of Dea. John Buel? 
Esq. She died November 4, 1768, aged 90 — having had 13 
Children, 101 Grand-Children, 247 Great-Grand-Children, and 
49 Great-Great-Grand-Children ; total 410. Three hundred 
and thirty-six survived her." The name of Buel has always 
been prominent in our local history. 

Litchfield was peculiarly fortunate in the character of its 
early settlers. The proprietors seemed to know, instinctively, 
that the location of their settlement — so remote from all the 
elder towns of the colony, and apparently beyond the influen- 
ces of civilization and religion — would naturally invite to its 
seclusion and consequent freedom from restraint, the vicious, 
the abandoned, and the fugitive from justice. Consequently, 
the utmost care was taken that none but persons of good char- 
acter should settle among them. Mr. Woodruff says — " If a 
stranger made a purchase in the plantation, a proviso was 
sometimes inserted in the deed, that the Inhabitants should 
accept of the purchaser, and that he should ' run the risk of 
trouble from the Grand Committee.' " We have seen on an- 
other page the vote of the town on this subject. It is with 
pleasure, that a Son of Litchfield is able to say that the peo- 
ple of the town have ever borne and still bear the reputation 
of being distinguished for intelligence and virtue. 



CHAPTER V. 

EVENTS PEECEDING THE REVOLUTION. 

The first French War began in 1744, and closed with the 
signing of the Treaty of Aix la Chapelle, October 4, 1748. 
At this period, Litchfield was in a condition too weak and ex- 
posed to be expected to lend any efficient aid in such a contest. 
Indeed, it is not known that her soldiery were in any instance 
called upon to march any considerable distance from her own 
frontiers. Our records give no indication of any unusual ex- 
citement — the seat of the war being, in this instance, so far dis- 
tant, that our people seem scarcely to have been conscious 
of its existence. The voters assembled in town meeting, went 
through with the ordinary routine of business, and adjourned, 
without intimating that the town or the colony was in any 
way interested in the fierce conflict that was then being waged 
between England and France. 

Mr. Cothren informs us that in May, 1748, the inhabitants 
of Woodbury appointed Col. William Preston an Agent to pre- 
fer a Memorial to the General Assembly for the organization of 
a new county to be called the County of Woodbury, to embrace 
the towns of Woodbury, Waterbury, New Milford, Litchfield 
and New Fairfield, and as many of the northern towns as 
might choose to join them — with Woodbury for the county seat. 
The result need not be told. 

At the October Session of the Legislature, A. D. 1751, the 
County of Litchfield was organized, and embraced seventeen 
towns, viz., Litchfield, Woodbury, New Milford, New Hart- 
ford, Harwinton, Barkhamsted, Colebrook, Canaan, Goshen, 
Cornwall, Hartland, Kent, Norfolk, Salisbury, Sharon, Tor- 
rington and Winchester. For some time much difference of 
opinion prevailed as to the location of the shire town. Litch- 



FIRST COUNTY OFFICERS. 73 

field, Goshen, Canaan and Cornwall, urged their respective 
claims with much zeal ; but the most formidable contest was 
between Litchfield and Goshen. The latter was supposed to 
occupy the geographical center of the proposed county, and 
many persons had settled there in expectation that the seat of 
justice would be established in that town, among whom was 
Oliver Wolcott, afterwards Governor. To the sore disappoint- 
ment of many of the contestants, Litchfield was ultimately 
named as the county seat in the act incorporating the new 
county. This was a most important event in the history of the 
town ; and from this time onward, for several years, it rapidly 
improved in its appearance as well as in the number and char, 
acter of its inhabitants. By a census taken in 1756, it was 
ascertained that its population was 1866. Oliver Wolcott was 
appointed first High Sheriff, and immediately thereupon took 
up his residence in this village. John Catlin, of Litchfield, 
was appointed County Treasurer ; Isaac Baldwin, of Litchfield 
County Clerk; William Preston, of Woodbury, Chief Judge • 
Thomas Chipman, of Salisbury, Samuel Canfield, of New 
Milford, John Williams, of Sharon, and Ebenezer Marsh, of 
Litchfield, Associate Judges ; and Samuel Pettibone, of Go- 
shen, King's Attorney. 

Even after this county was thus formed, and its officers ap- 
pointed, the town of Woodbury continued to manifest her 
dissatisfaction in various ways and at all reasonable times. 
Listead of being made the central and shire town of the new 
county, she was left quite in one corner. She first petitioned 
the Legislature, (in May and again in October, 1752,) to be 
re-annexed to the county of Fairfield. Twenty years later, 
an effort was again made to persuade the General Assembly 
to organize a county to be called Woodbury. On this occasion 
the town of Woodbury laid a rate of a penny and a half on the 
pound, in addition to the regular tax, to be applied toward 
erecting the county buildings ; and, further, she generously 
offered the use of her Town Hall for a Court House ! The 
reader will not need to be informed, that these as well as more 
recent attempts to destroy the ancient landmarks of the Coun_ 
ty of Litchfield, have proved unsuccessful. 

10 



74 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

At a town meeting, held in December, 1753, liberty was 
voted to Isaac Hosford and others " to erect a house for their 
convenience on Sabbath Days, east of the meeting-house." In 
January 1759, liberty was granted to Mr. John Farnham to 
" set up a Sabbath-Dai/ House in the higliway a little north of 
the School House." Capt. Edward Phelps erected a similar 
house in the middle of East-street nearly opposite the present 
church-edifice of the First Congregational Society ; and still 
another was remembered by the late Mr. Elisha Mason, which 
stood on or near the spot now occupied by the dwelling-house 
of Dr. Lewis in East-street. As they were among the " insti- 
tutions" of the Olden Time, and are quite unknown in our 
day, a brief reference to their design in connection with one 
of the simple customs of our ancestors, can hardly require an 
apology. Tliey were built by, and for the accommodation of? 
persons residing at a distance from church — their object being, 
to furnish the owners and their families, together with such 
friends as they might choose to invite, with a warm retreat, in 
winter, during tlie intermission between the forenoon and af- 
ternoon services on the Sabbath. We must bear in mind that 
in those days a stove, or any otlier means of warming a church, 
had never been seriously thought of. Tliese houses generally 
consisted of two rooms, each about twelve feet square, with a 
chimney between them and a fire-place in each room ; and in 
such cases were erected at the expense of two or more families. 
Dry fuel was kept in each room ready for kindling a fire. If 
the cold was extreme, the "hired man" or one of the sons 
might be sent forward in advance of the family, to get the room 
well warmed before their arrival. The family, after filling the 
ample saddlebags with refreshments, including a bottle of beer 
or cider, took an early start for the sanctuary. Calling first 
at their Sabbath-Day House, they deposited their luncheon, 
and having warmed themselves, and covered up the glowing 
embers, they were ready at the appointed moment to take 
their seats in the house of worship, there to shiver in the cold 
during the morning service. At noon, they returned to their 
room, with perhaps a few friends. The fire was re-kindled, 
the saddlebags were brought forth, and their contents placed 



THE ACADIANS. 75 

upon a proplicl.'s table, of which all partook. The frugal repast 
being ended, thanks were returned. The patriarch of the 
household then drew from his pocket the notes he had taken 
of the morning sermon, which were fully reviewed — all enjoy- 
ing the utmost freedom in their remarks. Sometimes a well 
chosen chapter, or a page from some favorite author, was read, 
and the noon-service was not unfrequently closed with a prayer. 
All then returned to the house of God. Before starting for 
home at the close of the afternoon service, they once more 
repaired to their Sabbath House, gathered up the saddlebags, 
wrapped themselves thoroughly up, saw that the fire was left 
safe, and in due time all were snugly seated in the sleigh, 
and bound homeward. 

By the Treaty of Utrecht that part of the old French domin_ 
ion called Acadia, or Nova Scotia, was ceded to Great Britain. 
In 1749, three thousand seven hundred and sixty English ad- 
venturers, under the Hon. Edward Cornwallis, sailed for that 
country, and settled on the coast at a place which they named 
Halifax, in honor of the Earl of Halifax, one of the Lords of 
Trade and Plantations. During the following year, the French 
Governor of Canada sent an army of Frenchmen and Indians 
to reduce Nova Scotia. The expedition was successful — and 
Acadia was once more a French province. The French neu- 
trals (many of whom had been driven off, or had been so per- 
secuted that they were virtually compelled to leave,) now 
joyfully returned to their old homes, by special invitation of 
the government. 

The sad story of the Acadians, or " French Neutrals," has 
often been told ; but the subject is not likely to be exhausted, 
while sympathy for the innocent and sorrowing has a place in 
the human heart. The classic lyre of Longfellow and the 
historic pen of Bancroft have alike celebrated their wrongs ; 
and a mere outline of the principal events in their history, 
must suffice for our present purpose. Acadia, or Nova Scotia, 
was early settled by the French Catholics, who soon surround- 
ed themselves by many of the comforts and conveniences of 
civilized life. They erected respectable dwellings and church- 
es, and cleared up and cultivated their lands. At length the 



76 THE HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD, 

English took possession of the island, and the French were 
subjected to the grossest indignities by those who were bent 
upon obtaining possession of their houses and lands. They 
expressed their willingness to take the oath of allegiance to 
England, but refused to bear arms against their beloved Prance. 
Their oppressors now resolved to break up the settlements and 
disperse the people among the other English colonies in Amer- 
ica. A proclamation was accordingly issued, ordering all the 
males of French descent, of ten years old and upwards, to ap- 
pear at certain places designated, on the 5th of September, 
1755. They obeyed the summons — little dreaming of the fate 
that awaited them. On their arrival, they were forthwith de- 
clared to be the king's prisoners, and were informed that their 
houses, lands and live-stock were confiscated to the crown, but 
that they were at liberty to take with tliem their money and 
household goods. On the 15th of the same month, one hun- 
dred and sixty-one men were driven, at the point of the bayo- 
net, on board the vessel which was to convey them from their 
homes forever. During the autumn and early part of winter, 
seven thousand of these miserable exiles were thus forced on 
ship-board and scattered over the colonies, from New Hamp- 
shire to Georgia. Four hundred were sent to Connecticut; 
who, at an extra session of the Legislature convened on the 21st 
of January, 1756, were distributed among some fifty towns 
according to their grand lists. Husbands and wives, parents 
and children, brothers and sisters, were thus arbitrarily separ- 
ated — their destination and destiny unknown to each other! 
Precisely the number that was ultimately allotted to Litchfield, 
I have not been able to ascertain. At least two of them are 
remembered by persons now living. * One of the number 
(named Sybil Sharway or Shearaway) married Mr. Thomas 
Harrison, a prominent citizen of this town, in 1764, and her 
descendants are now among our most excellent and respected 
people. The Selectmen and Civil Authority of each town 
were directed to provide for the exiles, and take proper care 
of the sick and aged ; and not to allow any one of them to 
leave the town without a written order or passport. It was 
further provided by the Legislature, that if any one should be 



THE LAST FRENCH WAR. 77 

found beyond the prescribed limits, he should thereafter be 
confined and not permitted to go at large. 

It is not until January, 1759, that our town records make 
any allusion to these people. At this date it was " voted that 
the Selectmen may provide a house or some suitable place in 
the town, /or the maintenance of the French.''^ In the County 
Treasurer's book, also, occurs the following entry, viz : " To 
paid Joh)i Newbree for keeping William Dunlap and the French 
persons, 54s. 6f/., which the County allowed, and R. Sherman, 
Justice of the Quorum, drew an order dated April 25, 1760, 
as per order on file." 

What is usually termed the last French War commenced in 
1755 and continued eight years. In this great contest Litch- 
field was actively engaged. Indeed, the people of all the 
northern English colonies were required to exert themselves to 
their utmost capacity to repel the invasions of the French. 
During the preceding winter, Sir Thomas Robinson, one of the 
king's principal Secretaries of State, had addressed a letter to 
Connecticut in his majesty's name, containing the intelligence 
that troops were about to be sent from England to aid the col- 
onies, and calling upon her to raise her quota of the balance 
of the forces that might be deemed requisite for the contem- 
plated expedition against Crown Point. The Assembly was 
immediately called together ; and it was resolved to raise one 
thousand men for the campaign, and the Governor was at the 
same time authorized, in case of emergency, to call out five 
hundred more. When the united forces of British, Provincials 
and Indians, reached Albany, their place of rendezvous, they 
constituted an army of over six thousand men — under the chief 
command of General William Johnson. The two Connecticut 
regiments were under the immediate command of General 
Phineas Lyman and Colonel Elizur Goodrich ; the Indians be- 
ing under guidance of the celebrated Mohawk Chief, Hen- 
drick. In this campaign, the French were defeated in an im- 
portant action near Lake George, though Colonel Williams, of 
one of the Massachusetts regiments, and the invincible Hen- 
drick, were slain. Lieutenant-Colonel Whiting, who, by the 
fall of his superior, became the chief officer in the most fatal 



78 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

part of the engagement, eminently distinguished himself as a 
cool, brave and judicious commander. Seven hundred of the 
French were left dead on the field, and the brave Dieskau was 
fatally wounded and taken prisoner. For this victory Johnson 
was knighted. Before the battle was fought, however, he had 
sent an earnest requisition to Governor Fitch for more troops. 
In response to this call, the Legislature was convened in 
August, 1755 ; and it was resolved to raise two additional 
regiments, and send them forthwith into the field. Samuel 
Talcott and Elihu Chauncey were commissioned as Colonels 
of these regiments, and Drs. Timothy Collins of Litchfield, and 
Jonathan Marsh of Norwich, were appointed Physicians and 
Surgeons. These regiments, consisting of seven hundred and 
fifty men each, were on their march within a week after the 
alarm was given. Connecticut now had in the northern army 
not less than two thousand five hundred men. Though Crown 
Point was not taken, Great Britain and her Colonies were 
jubilant over the success of their arms. 

I will not stop to detail the incidents of the disastrous cam- 
paigns of 1756 and 1757. Through the inefficiency of such 
British officers of Abercrombie, Loudoun and Webb, the finest 
army that had ever trodden the soil of America, was permitted 
to accomplish nothing. The capture of Crown Point had been 
abandoned, and an unsuccessful attack had been made upon 
Louisbourg. During these years, Connecticut kept constantly 
in the field a force of five thousand men. The campaign of 
1768 opened with auguries of better success, under the auspi- 
ces of Mr. Pitt, who had been elevated to the premiership. 
Connecticut at once resolved to raise five thousand men for 
the service, which was one quarter of all the troops called for 
from the northern colonies. The Connecticut troops were 
formed into four regiments, and Colonels Phineas Lyman, 
Nathan Whiting, Eliphalet Dyer and John Read, were appointed 
commanders. At the same time, Benjamin Hinman, of Wood- 
bury, in this county, was commissioned as Lieutenant-Colonel 
of one of these regiments. Fourteen thousand regulars, and 
a considerable naval force, were sent over from England to 
co-operate with the provincials. A portion of these troops, 



THE FRENCH WAR. 79 

under Lord Amherst and General Wolfe, together with the 
ships-of-the-liue under Admiral Boscawen, were sent against 
Louisbourg ; while the remainder of the provincials and regu- 
lars, under General Abercrombie and Lord Howe, went on an 
expedition against Crown Point and Ticonderoga. The Con- 
necticut men were with both of these divisions of the army. 
The garrison at Louisbourg, with its two thousand five hun- 
dred regulars, six hundred militia, and vast quantity of mil- 
itary stores, was surrendered into the hands of the victorious 
English and provincials. Abercrombie's expedition, however, 
did not prove as successful. Having been twice rejDulsed, with 
the loss of Lord Howe, the commanding general ordered a 
retreat, in spite of the remonstrances of the provincial officers, 
who believed that victory was still within their reach. Colonel 
Whiting's Connecticut regiment was with Abercrombie ; and 
the " orderly book " which he used in that unfortunate cam- 
paign, is still in the possession of his grandson, Major Jason 
Whiting, of Litchfield, and contains many interesting facts 
relating to the transactions of that branch of the army with 
which he was connected. 

From this time till the close of the war, Connecticut con- 
tinued to keep in the field not far from five thousand men. 
In the campaign of 1759-'60, Crown Point and Ticonderoga 
were captured by the English ; and subsequently, Montreal 
and the whole of the French possessions in Canada were surren- 
dered into their hands. In all the transactions of this memor- 
able war, Litchfield contributed her full quota of men and 
means. Unfortunately, but a single list of the soldiers raised 
in this town, during the period referred to, has been preserved. 
The names of some of the Litchfield officers who received 
commissions between the years 1755 and 1763, are here 
given, as it is known that apart of them were in the war, viz., 
Solomon Buel, Captain, 1756 ; Ebenezer Marsh, Colonel, 1757 ; 
Isaac Baldwin, Captain, do. ; Joshua Smith, Lieutenant, do, ; 
Abner Baldwin, Ensign, do. ; Archibald McNeile, Captain, 
1758 : Zebulon Gibbs, Ensign, do. ; Stephen Smith, Lieuten- 
ant, 1760 ; Eli Catlin, Lieutenant, do. ; Isaac Moss, Lieuten- 
ant, 1761 ; Josiah Smith, Lieutenant, do. ; Asa Hopkins, 



80 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 



Lieutenant, do. ; Gideon Harrison, Ensign, do. ; David Lan- 
don, Ensign, do. ; Lynde Lord, Ensign, 1762. Zebnlon Gibbs 
(whose Narrative we give in the Appendix,) informs us that he 
was in tlie northern army from 1756 to 1762. In March, 
1758, he was commissioned as Ensign in Captain Hurlbut's 
company, which was raised as a part of tlie force designed for 
the capture of Crown Point. 

The following names are copied from " APay-RoU for Capt. 
Archibald McNeile's Company, in the Second Regiment of 
Connecticut Forces, for the year 1762," — which is on file in 
the Secretary's Office, Hartford : 



Archibald McNeile, Captain. 
Isaac Moss, 1st Lieutenant, 
Increase Moseley, 2d do. 
Elisha Blinn, Ensign, 
Thomas Catlin, Sergeant, 
Nathaniel Taylor do. 
Bezaleel Beebe, do. 
Hezekiah Lee, do. 

Arch'd McNeile, jr. do. 
Roger Catlin, Corporal, 
Wm. Drink water, do. 
Nathan Stoddard, do. 
James Lassly, do. 

Daniel Barns, Drummer, 
Jacob Bartholomew, do. 
Charles Richards, 
Samuel Warner, 
Samuel Gipson, 
Joseph Jones, 
John Barrett, 
John Barrett, jr. 
William Forster, 
Francis Mazuzan, 
Thomas Wedge, 
Reuben Smith, 
Jeremiah Osborn, 
Benjamin Landon, 
Isaac Osborn, 



Robert Coe, 
Adam Mott, 
Asahel Hinman, 
Roswell Fuller, 
Daniel Grant, 
William Emons, 
Moses Stoddard, 
Gideon Smith, 
Jonathan Smith, 
Hezekiah Leach, 
Adam Ilurlbut, 
Jeremiah Harris, 
Eli Emons, 
Alexander Waugh, 
Orange Stoddard, 
Ezekiel Shepard, 
Ozias Hurlbut, 
Daniel Harris, 
John Colhns, 
Solomon Palmer, 
Jonathan Phelps, 
John Cogswell, 
Mark Kenney, 
Aaron Thrall, 
Timothy Brown, 
Roswell Dart, 
William Bulford, 
James Manville, 



SOLDIERS OF THE FRENCH WAR. 



81 



Benjamin Bissell, 
David Nichols. 
Ichabod Squire, 
Comfort Jackson, 
Elisha Walker, 
Amos Brougton, 
Nathaniel Lewis, 
Levi Bonny, 
Thomas Barker, 
Samuel Drinkwater, 
Asahel Gray, 
Eiiakira Gibbe, 
Samuel Peet, 
Ephraira Smedley, 
Edmund Hawes, 
Silas Tucker, 
Robert Bell, 
Thomas Sherwood, 
Ephraim Knapp, 
Titus Tyler, 



Thomas Williams, 
Justus Seelye, 
James Francier, 
George Peet, 
Nathaniel Barnum, 
Adonijah Roice, 
Elisha In graham, 
Daniel Hurlbut, 
Ebenezer Blackman, 
Domini Douglas, 
Amos Tolls, 
Thomas Ranny, 
Daniel Hamilton, 
Asahel Hodge, 
Daniel Warner, 
Titus Tolls, 
John Ripner, 
Caleb Nichols, 
John Fryer, 
Ebenezer Pickett, 



It is not to be inferred that all the members of Captain 
McNeile's company belonged in Litchfield. Some in the list 
are recognized as residents of neighboring towns. Lieutenant 
Moseley, for instance, was a Woodbury man. He became an 
eminent lawyer, legislator and judge, in his native county, and 
afterwards removed to Vermont, and was there elevated to 
the bench of the Supreme Court. 

The name of the late Colonel Beebe, of his town, will be 
noticed among the Sergeants of this company. At a still earlier 
date, he had been a member of Major Rogers celebrated corps 
of Eangers, and was engaged in one of the forest fights when 
the soldiers were dispersed by order of their commander, and 
each man was directed to fight, in true Indian style, from be- 
hind a tree. Beebe chanced to be stationed near Lieutenant 
Gaylord, who was also from Litchfield county. He had just 
spoken to Gaylord, and at the moment was looking him in the 
face for a reply, when he observed a sudden break of the skin 
in the forehead, and the Lieutenant instantly fell dead — a ball 
from the enemy having passed through his head. 

11 



82 HISTOEY OF LITCHFIELD. 

The long succession of colonial wars, which had now 
terminated, had taxed the American people almost bejQnd 
precedent. The whole country was yet new, and but thinly 
settled. The farms were only partially cleared up, and the 
great mass of the population were poor and compelled to delve 
hard for the requisite food for the subsistence of themselves 
and families. Notwithstanding all this, a large proportion of 
the most efficient and able-bodied men were constantly being 
called off to fill the ranks of the army ; while those who remain- 
ed at home must support themselves, provide food and cloth- 
ing for the soldiers, and pay the enormous taxes 'which war 
always brings in its train. If those who first enlisted, lived 
to return home, they or others were soon called upon again 
and again to enter the public ser^^ce. This long experience 
and severe discipline, however, was, unwittingly to all, pre- 
paring officers, soldiers and citizens, for the severer and more 
important crisis which was then approaching. 

The next great question which agitated the minds of our 
people, was that relating to the Stamp Act. The peace of 
17G3 had left Great Britain immensely in debt, and the eyes 
of her financiers were at once turned towards the American 
Colonies, as a field whence their future revenues might be 
materially augmented. The proposed impost was at length 
laid, by an act of parliament, " upon every skin, or piece of 
vellum, or parchment, or sheet or piece of paper," that should 
be thenceforth used in the colonies ; and no deed, lease, bond, 
policy or mortgage, was legal, unless it bore the royal stamp. 
This act created great indignation on this side of the Atlantic. 
The Legislature of Connecticut protested against it, and finally 
agreed upon an address to parliament, which was sent to the 
colonial agent in London, with instructions " firmly to insist 
on the exclusive right of the colonies to tax themselves." 
The people everywhere were excited, and the measure was 
freely discussed and boldly denounced at the corners of the 
streets, in popular assemblies, and in town meetings. The 
more resolute and reckless of the populace formed themselves 
into secret organizations called " The Sons of Liberty,'^ with 
the design of preventing the use of the stamped paper by a 



THE STAMP ACT. 83 

summary process, if necessary. In this town there was probs 
ably no difference of opinion on the main question at issue. 
On matters of minor importance, the people did not alway, 
agree. The Connecticut Courant of February 10th, 1766, con- 
tains a communication dated at Litchfield on the 1st of Febru- 
ary of that year, which is as follows — " At the Desire of several 
of the Towns in this County, by their Agents chosen and sent 
here for that Purpose, a Meeting was called of the Free-born 
Sons of Liberty, to meet at the Court-House in this Town ; and 
being assembled to the Number of about forty or fifty Persons- 
proceeded upon the Business for which they met. And not- 
withstanding the great Opposition they met with, from Col. 
E r M h and one S n S e,* (whereby the Meet- 
ing was much hindered,) yet they came to the Choice of five 
Gentlemen, who were to act as Agents, and are to join the 
Gentlemen from the other Towns in the County, who are to 
meet here, at a general County Meeting, to be held on the 
second Tuesday of February, 1766, at ten o'clock in the fore- 
noon ; when it is expected they will come to such Ecsolves as 
they shall think most Conducive to prevent the Thing we fear 
from ever taking Place among us. The Meeting would have 
been conducted with the utmost good Agreement and Dispatch, 
had it not been for the Gentlemen mentioned above, who em- 
ployed all their Power to render it abortive, not only by con- 
suming the Time in long and needless Sj)eeches, (wherein Mr. 

M h especially discovered to all present, an inexhaustible 

Fund of Knowledge, by several new-coined Words, unknown 
in the English Language before,) but they also opposed by 
their Votes almost every Motion that was made to forward it." 
The Courant of February 24th, contains the doings of the 
convention referred to. In their declarations, the purest senti- 
ments of patriotism and loyalty, are blended with a love of good 
order and a regard for the supremacy of the law, which are 
remarkable for those times. The people of Litchfield were no 
friends of mob-law, even when mobs were fashionable elsewhere. 
Separation from the mother-country, was a subject which had 
not then been breathed audibly, even if it had been thought of, 
by the most zealous patriot. Hence, while some of these sen- 

* The names are thus left blank ua the Courant. 



84 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

timents, in the boldness and beauty of their expression, almost 
rival some of those which were ten years subsequently embodi- 
ed in the Declaration of 'Independence, they are still made 
subservient to the condition of the people as faithful subjects 
of the king. Tlie same spirit led them in due time to throw 
off the yoke of foreign despotism and to vindicate their rights 
as Freemen. In the article which is here given, the original 
copy is followed in capitalizing as well as in other respects : 

" At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of almost all the Towns in 
Litchfield County, convened by their Agents in Litchfield 
on the Second Tuesday in February, 1766, for the Pur- 
pose of giving the clearest Manifestation of their fixed and 
most ardent Desires to preserve, as far as in them lies, 
those inherent Hights and Privileges which essentially 
belong to them as a Free People, and which are founded 
upon the unalterable Basis of the British Constitution, 
and have been confirmed by the most solemn Sanctions 
— and of their readiness to promote (according to their 
Ability,) the public Peace and Happiness, which have 
been greatly disturbed by the most alarming Infringements 
upon their Rights — the following Sentiments were unani- 
mously agreed in : 
" I. That they entertain the highest Regard and Veneration 
for those just and virtuous Resolutions made by the Hon. 
House of Representatives of this Colony in October last, ex- 
pressing the Duty and faithful Allegiance which they and the 
Inhabitants of this Colony owe to our rightful Sovereign, King 
George the Third — and those Rights and Privileges which 
essentially belong to His Majesty's Subjects in this Colony ; 
and likewise those Sentiments respecting the unconstitutional 
Nature of an Act of the British Parliament for granting Stamp- 
Duties in the British Colonies. 

"II. That they conceive, to keep up in their brightest Yiew 
the first Principles and Origins of the English Government, 
and strictly to adhere to the primary Institutions of it, is the 
only sure Way to preserve the same, and consequently the 
Prerogative of the Crown, and the Civil Liberties of the Sub- 
ject, inviolate. 



THE STAMP-ACT. 85 

" III. That the}^ are not able to form a more perfect Idea of 
Allegiance to His Majesty, than what consists in an inflexible 
Attachment to the forementioned Principles. 

" TV. That, in their Opinion, for any Power whatsoever to 
claim a Right to dispose of their Property without their Con- 
sent, given in a Constitutional Way, is, in Effect, to claim a 
Right to dispose of all their Property at Pleasure. 

" y. That for innocent Subjects to be imminently exposed 
to certain Ruin, by the Execution of any penal Statute, is, 
they conceive, utterly irreconcilable with every just Idea of 
Freedom. 

" VI. That- God made Mankind free, (as being essential to 
their Happiness,) and as, by His Blessing, the Advantages of 
English Liberty have been handed down to them from their 
most virtuous and loyal Ancestors, so they will endeavor, by 
all reasonable Ways and Means within their Power, uprightly 
to preserve and faithfully to transmit the same to their Pos- 
terity. 

" VII, That they really believe, without the least Shadow 
of a Doubt, that said Act, imposing Stamp-Duties, &c., is 
UNCONSTITUTIONAL, and therefore necessarily believe that the 
Observance thereof is not obligatory upon them. 

" VIII. That any Office for distributing Stamped Papers in 
this Colony, appears odious and detestable to them, as being, 
in its Operation, utterly destructive of their most valuable 
Rights. 

" IX. That if any Stamped Papers shall- be imported into 
any Part of this Colony (which they most cordially wish might 
never be,) they hope the speediest pubhc Notice thereof may be 
given, that the same may be preserved untouched for His 
Majesty. 

" X. That if any Person in this Colony has represented that 
the People in it might, under any possible circumstances, be- 
come willing to have the aforesaid Act executed upon them, 
or to have one Farthing of their Property taken from them, 
except by their own Consent, given as aforesaid, they are per- 
suaded that such Representation must have been the Result 



86 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

of extreme stupid Ignorance, or dictated by a malignant, apos- 
tate Spirit. 

" XI. That they will never suffer any Jealousies to arise in 
their Minds, that any Person in this Colony is unfriendly to its 
Civil Liberties, except upon the fullest, clearest, and most un- 
deniable Evidence. 

" XII. That it was never any Part of the Design of this 
Meeting to endeavor to bring about the least Alteration in the 
Legislative Body of this Colony. 

" XIII. That whereas some very ignorant or dissolute Per- 
sons may, in this time of Perplexity, be disposed to commit 
Outrages against the Persons or Property of others, or to treat 
with Disrespect and Insult the civil Authority of this Colony : 
They do therefore hereby solemnly declare, that Nothing (ex- 
cept a Privation of their Liberties,) could or ought to fill their 
Minds with a deeper and more fixed Resentment than such 
Conduct — and that they will always be ready and willing to 
assist and support, to the utmost of their Ability, the public 
Magistrates, in preserving, in the greatest Purity, the Peace 
and good Order of the Public. 

" XIV. That these their Sentiments of firm Allegiance to 
His Majesty, and their strong and unfailing Desires to preserve 
their Constitutional Rights and Privileges, and to promote the 
public Peace, good Order, and Happiness, be published in the 
Connecticut Courant, and that this Meeting be adjourned to 
the third Tuesday in March next, at ten o'clock in the fore- 
noon, to be held- at this place." 

The Stamp-Act was followed by laying a tax upon divers 
other articles imported from England, which led to a combin- 
ation known as " the non-importation agreement." This 
agreement was, however, shamefully violated by many of the 
New York merchants. The indignation of the people of Con- 
necticut was in consequence fully aroused ; and it wgs resolved 
that a General Convention of Delegates from all the towns in 
the colony, should be held in New Haven, on the 13th of Sep- 
tember, 1770, " to take into consideration the perilous condi- 
tion of the country, to provide for the growth and spread of 
home-manufactures, and to devise more thorough means for 



PEEPARING FOR THE REVOLUTION. 87 

carrying out to the letter the non-importation agreement." A 
.town meeting was held in Litchfield, on the 30th of August 
— Mr. Abraham Kilbourn presiding. At this meeting, Capt. 
John Osborn and Mr. Jedediah Strong were appointed Dele- 
gates to the Convention referred to. 

The Legislature about this time, made special enactments 
providing for arming and disciplining the militia — ivhy^ they 
were scarcely themselves aware. Many of our most efficient 
officers Of the French War now received advance commissions 
in the colonial regiments. These officers, by long service with 
the commanders in the Standing Army of England, had learn- 
ed whatever was worth knowing in their system of military 
tactics, while they had failed to learn their inefficiency, pro- 
crastination, and punctilious regard for etiquette. They were 
now destined to turn the knowledge, thus acquired, to good 
account. Among those thus appointed, were, Oliver "Wolcott, 
who had commanded a company in the northern army in 1748, 
and was now commissioned as Colonel ; and Ebenezer Gay, 
a resident of Sharon but a native of this town, who was raised 
to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. 

In the mean time, matters of local interest and importance 
were not neglected. The lands were laid out to the sev- 
eral proprietors, bridges were built, and by-laws were passed. 

I liave suggested that the establishment of Litchfield as the 
county seat, was an important event in the history of the town. 
Several wealthy and prominent gentlemen from a distance, 
soon after this event, settled in this village — among whom I 
may mention Elisha Sheldon, Lynde Lord, and Reynold Mar- 
vin, Esquires, all from Lyme, in the eastern part of the colony. 
Some of the finest mansions still standing on the Hill, were 
erected between 1752 and 1760, inclusive. The records give 
indications of the " march of improvement " in other respects. 
Liberty was granted to Joseph Pickett " to set up a Barber's 
Shop anywhere in the Highway except on the Meeting House 
Green." Lieutenant Stephen Smith, who had figured in the 
" late war," and was subsequently in the service at the North, 
received permission to set up a Malt House and Distillery. 
The first Court House was built on the public square, a little 



88 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

east of the Meeting-House ; but the town passed a vote forbid- 
ding the erection of a Jail and County House on the square 
— offering, however, a piece of land for that purpose in any 
other part of the town which might be selected. 

In December, 1740, Messrs. Samuel- Culver, Joseph Bird, 
Ebenezer Beebe and Moses Stoddard, were appointed " to view 
and lay out a suitable Highway through the north-westerly 
part of Litchfield leading to Cornwall ;" the same committee 
were also directed to lay out a road to the east part of Goshen 
— probably the highway which now connects with Goshen 
East Street. The principal highways leading to New Milford, 
Goshen, Woodbury and Harwinton, were all laid out previous 
to 1750. 

In 1752, the Rev. Timothy Collins was dismissed froin the 
pastoral office in this town ; and on the 4th of July 1753, Mr. 
Champion was settled in his stead. In 1762, a new meeting- 
house was erected on the Green, which stood sixty-seven years, 
when it was superceded by the present church-edifice of the 
First Society. 



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FROM A PKINCl 1. SKETCH BY COL.TRUMB Uli 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE REVOLUTIONARY ERA. 

The revolutionary spirit early began to manifest itself in 
Litchfield. A series of oppressive and retaliatory measures on 
.the part of the British Parliament, served to test, to the fullest 
extent, the patience and patriotism of the people. In conse- 
quence of the destruction of the tea in the harbor of Boston, 
that Town was selected as a special object of ministerial ven- 
geance ; which, as a natural result, served to elicit the 
sympathy and co-operation of the friends of freedom through- 
out the country. The subjoined document evinces the spirit 
of the voters of this town on the occasion, and needs no ex- 
planation, except that Oliver Wolcott, Esq., was Moderator of 
the meeting from which it emanated : 

" The Inhabitants of Litchfield, in legal Town Meeting as- 
sembled, on the 17th day of August, A. D. 1774, taking into 
consideration the Distress to which the Poor of the Town of 
Boston may likely be reduced by the operation of an Act of the 
British Parliament for Blocking up their Port, and deeply 
commiserating the unliappiness of a brave and loyal People, 
who are thus eminently suffering in a General Cause, for vin- 
dicating what every virtuous American considers an essential 
Right of this Country, think it is their indispensable Duty to 
afford their unhappy distressed brethren of said Town of Bos- 
ton, all reasonable Aid and Support. And this they are the 
more readily induced to do, not only as the Inhabitants of 
said Town are thus severely condemned for their reluctance to 
submit to an arbitrary, an unconsented to, and consequent- 
ly unconstitutional Taxation, but the whole of the great and 
loyal Province of the Massachusetts Bay have been condemned 

12 



90 HISTOEY OF LITCHFIELD. 

unheard, in the loss of their Charter Privileges, by the hereto- 
fore unknown and nnheard of exertions of Parliamentary 
Power, which they conceive is a Power claimed and exercised 
in such a manner as cannot fail of striking every unprejudiced 
mind with Horror and Amazement, as being subversive of all 
those inherent, essential and constitutional Rights and Privi- 
leges which the good people of this Colony have ever held sa- 
cred, and even dearer than Life itself, nor ever can wish to 
survive ; not only every idea of Property, but every emolument 
of civil life, being thereby rendered precarious and uncertain. 

" In full confidence, therefore, that no Degree of Evil thus 
inflicted on said Town and Province, will ever induce them to 
give up or betray their own and the American Constitutional 
Rights and Privileges, especially as they cannot but entertain 
the most pleasing Expectations that the Committees of the 
several North American Provinces, who are soon to meet at 
Philadelphia, will in their wisdom be able to point out a Meth- 
od of Conduct effectual for obtaining Redress of their grievan- 
ces — a Method to which (when once agreed upon by said Com- 
mittee) this Town will look upon it their duty strictly to attend. 
And in the mean time, earnestly recommend that subscriptions 
he forthwith opened in this Toivn, under the care of Reuben 
Smith, Esq., Capt. Lynde Lord, and Mr. William Stanton, who 
are hereby appointed a Committee to receive and forward to 
the Selectmen of Boston, for the use of the Poor in that place, 
all such Donations as shall be thereupon made for that pur- 
pose ; and also to correspond with the Committee of Corres- 
pondence there or elsewhere, as there may be occasion. 

" "We also take this opportunity publicly to return our thanks 
to the members of the Honorable House of Representatives of 
this Colony, for their patriotic and loyal Resolutions, passed 
and published in the last Assembly on the occasion, and order 
them to be entered at large on the Public Records of this Town, 
that succeeding ages may be faithfully furnished with authen- 
tic Credentials of our inflexible attachment to those inestima- 
ble Privileges which we and every honest American glory in 
esteeming our unalienable Birthright and Inheritance." 



COMMITTEES OP INSPECTION. 91 

At the annual Town Meeting, held December 6, 1774, it was 
Voted, That the Honorable Oliver Wolcott, Esq., and Messrs. 
Jedediah Strong, Jacob Woodruff, John Marsh, John Osborn, 
Jehiel Parmelee, Abraham Bradley, Seth Bird, Archibald Mc- 
Neile, Abraham Kilbourn, Nathan Garnsey, James Morris and 
Ebenezer Benton, be a Committee for the Purposes mentioned 
in the Eleventh Article of tlie Association Agreement of the 
Grand Continental Congress in Philadelphia, 5th of September 
last, and approved, adopted and recommended by the General 
Assembly of this Colony at their session in October last." 

The " Eleventh Article of the Association Agreement," here 
referred to, provides for the appointment of " Committees of 
Inspection" in each city and town, '' whose business it shall be 
attentively to ob'serve the conduct of all persons touching this 
Association ; and when it shall be made to appear that any 
person has violated its articles, they are to cause their names 
to be published in the Gazette, to the end that all such foes to 
the Rights of British America may be publicly known and 
universally contemned as the enemies of American Liberty, 
and thenceforth we break off all dealings with him or her." 
Committees of Inspection were also appointed at the annual 
Town Meeting in 1775 and 1776. In addition to the above, 
the following persons were appointed, viz., Messrs. Reuben 
Smith, Lynde Lord, Andrew Adams, Archibald McNeile, Jr., 
Moses Sanford, Tapping Reeve, Jonathan Mason, Caleb Gibbs, 
Nathaniel Woodruff, William Stanton and Nathaniel Goodwin. 

The celebrated Aaeon Burr, (afterwards Yice President of 
the United States,) became intimately associated with Litch- 
field during this period. He graduated at Princeton College 
in October, 1772, and in the following June, his only sister, 
Sarah Burr, became the wife of Tapping Reeve, Esq., of this 
town. "In May, 1774," says his biographer, (Davis i, 46,) 
" he left the Rev. Mr. Bellamy's, and went to the house of his 
brother-in-law. Tapping Reeve, where his time was occupied 
in reading, principally history, but especially those portions of 
it which related to wars, battles and seiges, which tended to 
inflame his natural military ardor. The absorbing topics of 
taxation and the rights of the people were agitating tlie then 



92 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

British Colonies from one extreme to the other. These sub- 
jects, therefore, could not pass unnoticed by a youth of the 
the enquiring mind and ardent feelings of Burr. Constitu- 
tional law, and the relative rights of the crown and the colo- 
nists, were examined with all the accumen which he possessed, 
and he became a whig from reflection and conviction, as well 
as from feeling." Burr remained in Litchfield on this occa- 
sion something over a year. The letters written by him while 
here, contain frequent allusions to local matters, and to indi- 
viduals (especially the young ladies) residing in tlie place. In 
a communication to Matthias Ogden (dated at Litchfield, Au- 
gust 17, 1774,) he says — " Before I proceed further, let me 
tell you that, a few days ago, a mob of several hundred per- 
sons gathered at Barrington, and tore down the house of a man 
who was suspected of being unfriendly to the liberties of the 
people ; broke up the court then sitting at that place, &c. As 
many of the rioters belonged to this colony, and the Supreme 
Court was then sitting at tliis place, the Sheriff was immedi- 
ately despatched to apprehend the ring-leaders. He returned 
yesterday with eight prisoners, who were taken without resis- 
tance. But this minute, there are entering the town on horse- 
back, with great regularity, abovit fifty men, armed each with 
a white club ; and I observe others continually dropping in. 
I shall here leave a blank, to give you (perhaps in heroics,) a 
few sketches of my unexampled valor, should they proceed to 
hostilities ; and, should they not, I can tell you what I would 
have done." After the " blank," the young hero adds — " The 
above-mentioned sneaks all gave bonds for their appearance, 
to stand a trial at the next court, for committing a riot." 

While Burr remained at the house of Judge Reeve, he was 
startled by the news of the Battle of Lexington, which took 
place on the 19th of April, 1775. Immediately thereafter, he 
addressed a letter to his friend Ogden, urging him to come to 
Litchfield and make arrangements with him for joining the 
standard of their country. The Battle of Bunker Hill soon 
followed — (June 16th.) As Ogden could not come at once to 
Litchfield, Burr started for Elizabethtown, New Jersey, to 
assist his friend in arranging for a speedy trip to Cambridge, 



AARON BURR. 93 

where tlie American army was then encamped. In July, they 
reached Cambridge ; and in September, Burr enlisted as a pri- 
vate soldier in Arnold's expedition through the wilderness to 
Quebec. It maybe added, that Litchfield was Colonel Burr's 
recognized home for some half dozen years.* 

On the morning of the 10th of May, 1775, Colonel Ethan 
Allen, a native of Litchfield, at the head of his brave Green 
Mountain Boys, surprized and captured the Fortress of Ticon- 
deroga. Several of this little band of heroes were born and 
bred in this vicinity. Lieutenant Cramp ton, who entered the 
fort by the side of Allen, was also a native of this town, and 
had resided here during a large part of his life. On this occa- 
sion was captured the first British flag that fell into the hands 
of the Americans in the revolutionary contest! The magni- 
*tude and importance of this exploit will be better understood, 
when considered in connection with the vast amount of time, 
and treasure, and blood, which the fortress had cost the Brit- 
ish Government. The day following the capture of Ticonder- 
oga, the garrison at Crown Point, with all its military stores, 
were surrendered to Colonel Warner, a native of Roxbury, 
in this County. 

* On the 27th of January, 1776, Judge Reeve wrote to Bun- thus — " Amid the la- 
mentations for the loss of a brave, enterprising General, [Montgomery,] your escape 
from such imminent danger, to which 3'ou have been exposed, has afforded us the 
greatest satisfaction. The news of the unfortunate attack upon Quftbec arrived 
among us on the 13th of this month. I concealed it from your sister until the 18th, 
when she found it out ; but, in less than half an hour, I received letters from Albany 
acquainting me that you were in safety, and had. gained great honor by your intrepid 
conduct. * * It was happy for us that we did not know you were an aid-de-camp 
until we heard of your welfare ; for we heard that Montgomery and his aids were 
killed, without knowing who his aids were. Your sister enjoys a middling state of 
health. She has many anxious hours on your account ; but she tells me that, as she 
believes you may serve the country in the business in which you are now emploj^ed, 
she is contented that you should remain in the army. It must be an exalted public 
spirit, that could produce such an effect upon a sister as affectionate as yours." 

For several months in 1781, Mrs. Theodocia Provost (the dashing young widow of 
Colonel Provost, of the British Army,) was a resident of Litchfield ; and a few of 
her lettei's written from this place are preserved in Davis's Life of Burr, vol. i, pp. 
224—227. She became the wife of Burr, July 2, 1782. 

Aaron Burr became aid de-camp to General Washington, Attoniey General of the 
State of New York, U. S. Senator, and, in 1801, was a candidate with Jefferson for the 
Presidency of the United States — the two receiving an equal number of electoral votes. 
After an exciting contest of several days in the U. S. House of Representatives, Jef 
ferson was chosen President, and Burr Vice President. 



94 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

In January, 1776, Captain Bezaleel Beebe, of Litchfield, 
received orders to enlist a company for the defense of New 
York. The tidings spread rapidly throughout the town, and 
awakened anew the enthusiasm of the whigs. A veteran who 
died within the last few years, stated that when the intelli- 
gence reached him, he started on a run for the Captain's head- 
quarters, fearing the roll would be full before he could reach 
there. Captain Beebe's orders reached him on a Sunday, and 
by the following Saturday, the company had been raised, arm- 
ed, and equipped, and were on their march toward Fairfield. 
The following paper, with the names attached, is inserted here 
for preservation: 

" We, the Subscribers, being convinced of the Necessity of a body 
of Forces to defeat certain Wicked Purposes formed by the instru- 
ments of Ministerial Tyranny, do solemnly engage ourselves and enlist 
as Private Soldiers, in a Regiment to be Commanded by Colonel An- 
drew Ward, Jr., under the command of Major General Lee, for 
the Term of Eight Weeks at the utmost from the Day we March 
from Fairfield, which is the place of Rendezvous ; the Honorable 
Major General Lee having given his Word and Honor that we shall 
not be Detained a single Day after said Term. Dated at Litchfield, 
21st day of January, 1776." 

Lieut. Jonathan Mason, Sergt.. Benjamin Bissell, 

Briant Stoddard, Elihu Harrison, 

James Woodruff, Roger N. Whittlesey, 

Obver Woodruif, Charles Woodruff, Jr., 

Phineas Goodwin, Joseph Sanford, 

Zebulon Bissell, Stephen Brown, 

Benjamin Taylor, William Patterson, 

Moses Taylor, John Lyman, 

Frederick Stanley, Obed Stoddard, 

James Crampton, T. Weed, 

Caleb Munson, George Dear, 

Abraham Wadharas, Jacob Gaylord, 

Martin Nash, Elihu Grant, 

Oliver Griswold, Abram Beach, 

Zadock Gibbs, Jr. Ichabod Tuttle, 

Josiah Bartholomew, Jr. Chauncey Beach, 

Jesse Stanley, George Dear, Jr. 

Elisha Mayo, Adino Hale, 

Nathaniel Newell, Allen Lucas, 



REVOLUTIONAKY SOLDIERS. 95 

Luman Bishop, "William Starr, 

Asaph Benham, Heber Gilbert, Jr. 

Joseph Finney, Zebu Ion Palmer, 

Zebedee Sturtevant, Joseph Peters, 

Martin Curtiss, Truman Gilbert, 

Levi Swan. Heman Brown, 

Joel Barnes, Luther Comstock, 

Peleg Holmes, Daniel Swan. 
Alexander Sackett, 

Those who have a knowledge of the leading men of Litch_ 
field county from forty to seventy years ago, will recognize in 
the above list the names of many of her most prominent and 
influential citizens — men of wealth and enterprize, who, 
though surrounded by the endearments of domestic life, vol- 
untarily enlisted as private soldiers in that dangers expedition. 
The roll as here given is not complete. About two-thirds of 
the persons named in the list belonged to this town ; the re- 
mainder were from Goshen, Torrington and Warren. They 
were all enlisted from the 21st to the 25th of January, 1776. 
The names of a few additional members of this company may 
be gleaned from the following Appraisal : 

" Litchfield^ 26th January, 1776. 

" We, being requested to apprise the Arms belonging to Capt. Bez- 

aleel Beebe's Company, in Col. Andrew Ward's Regiment, going on 

an expedition to New York under the command of General Charles 

Lee — we accordingly apprized the same, being first duly sworn, viz., 

Elihu Harrison's Gun, Bayonet and Cartridge Box, in his own 

hands. [^Figures omitted.^ 
Roger N. Whittlesey's Gun in the hands of Briant Stoddard. 
Joseph Sanford's Gun, Bayonet and Belt in his own hands. 
.^ Nathaniel Allen's Gun, Bayonet and Belt in his own hands. 
Obed Stoddard's Gun, Bayonet, Cartridge box and belt. 
Joshua Smith's Gun in his own hands. 
Zebulon Bissell's Gun in his own hands. 
James Woodruff's Gun carried by Stephen Brown. 
Phineas Goodwin's Gun, bayonet and belt. 
WTiitiug Stanley's Gun carried by James Crampton. 
Oliver VV^oodruflf's Gun carried by himself. 
Hezekiah Agard's Gun carried by John Lyman. 
Jedediah Strong's Gun, bayonet and belt carried by Wm Patterson. 
Lieut. Jonathan Mason's Cartridge box. 
Samuel Canfield's Gun cai'ried by himself. 
Noah Garnsey's Gun carried by T. Weed. 



96 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 



Sergt. Benjamin Bissell's Gun and Bayonet carried by himself. 

Asa Osborn's Gun and Cartridge box carried by himself. 

Jedediah Strong's Gun carried by Benjamin Taylor. 

Jedediah Strong's Gun carried by Frederick Stanley. 

Reuben Smith, Esq's, Gun, Bayonet, Case and Belt, carried by 

Capt. Beebe. 
Capt John Osborn's Gun carried by Moses Taylor. 
Abraham Bradley, ) . 
Thomas Catlin, ' C Appraisers on 

Obed Stodder, } ^ ' 

In May, 1776, a regiment was ordered to be raised for the 
defense of the State, "to be subject to join the continental 
army, if so ordered by the Governor." Captain Beebe was 
appointed to the command of one of the companies of this 
regiment, with Jesse Cook for 1st lieutenant, and James Wat- 
son for 2d lieutenant. Lieut. Watson was soon transferred to 
another corps, and John Smith, of Litchfield, was commission- 
ed in his place. The following is a complete list of the officers 
and soldiers of this company : 



Bezaleel Beebe, Captain, 
Jesse Cook, Lieutenant, 
John Smith, do. 
Wait Beach, Ensign, 
Levi Peck, Sergeant, 
Cotton Mather, do. 
Heber Stone, do. 

Solomon Goodwin, do. 
Samuel Cole, Corporal, 
Ezekiel Bissell, do. 
Elijah Loomis, do. 
David Hall, do. 

Joel Taylor, Drummer, 
Epaphras Wadsworth, Fifer, 
Nathaniel Allen, 
Cyrenius Austin, 
Enos Austin, 
Joseph Austin, 
Andrew Austin, 
EUhu Beach, 
Barnias Beach, 
Zebulon Bissell, 



James Beach, 
Asa Brooks, 
Daniel Benedict, 
Samuel Baldwin, 
Elisha Brownson, 
Benjamin Bissell, 
Daniel Barns, 
Ebenezer Bacon, 
Noah Beach, 
Elisha Bissell, 
Frederick Bigelow, 
Hezekiah Bissell, 
James Davis, 
Friend Dickinson, 
Jesse Dickinson, 
Solomon Dickinson, 
Ebenezer Dimon, 
Gershom Fay, 
Remembrance Filley, 
Joel Frost, 
John German, 
Phineas Goodwin, 



EEVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. 



97 



Beriah Birge, 
James Birge, 
Noadiah Bancroft, 
Ithamar Gibbs, 
Moore Gibbs, 
Samuel Gleason, 
Isaac Hosford, 
Abraham Haskins, 
Amos Johnson, 
Charles Kilbourn, 
Henry Hclntire, 
Thomas Mason, 
Oliver Marshall, 
Timothy Marsh, 
Alexander McNiel, 
Ebenezer Landon, 
Remembrance Loomis, 
James Little, 
John Lyman, 
Noah North, 
David Olmsted, 
Ethan Osborn, 
John Parmeley, 



Joseph Goodwin, 
Benjamin Gibbs, 
Gershom Gibbs, 
Henry Plumb, 
Eliphaz Parsons, 
Joseph Sanford, 
Frederick Stanley, 
Timothy Stanley, 
Jared Stewart, 
Joseph Spencer, 
Daniel Smith, 
Aaron Stoddard, 
Ira Stone, 
John Strong, 
Peleg Sweet, 
Stephen Taylor, 
Joseph Taylor, 
Samuel Vaill, 
Jeremiah Weed, 
John Weed, 
Gideon Wilcoxson, 
John Whiting, 
Oliver Woodruff, 



Solomon Parmeley, 

These names are copied from the account-book and billet- 
roll preserved among the papers of Col. Becbe. From various 
accounts and memoranda found in these papers, we are able 
to gather certain facts in the history of some of these soldiers. 
Thus — " August 9, To cash paid for coffin for Ira Stone ;" 
Sept. 7, " Lieut. John Smith was discharged from the army 
in New York ;" " John German was dismissed from my com- 
pany by order of a General Court Martial, July 9, 1776 ;" 
" Aug. 9, James Beach died about 8 o'clock in the morning ;" 
" Sept. the 5th, 10 o'clock at night, Samuel Gleason died ;" 
in the account with Joel Taylor — "Paid one dollar to Zebulon 
Taylor to deliver to the mother of the above Joel Taylor, de- 
ceased, it being cash that was with him when he died ;" " Sept. 
27, 1777, Received of Capt. Beebe 22 shillings for mileage 
from Philadelphia to Litchfield. (Signed,) Abraham Haskins." 

. 13 



98 HISrOEY OF LITCHFIELD. 

From the account of Gersliom Gibbs — " Received of Capt. 
Beebe three dollars that belonged to my husband and son, which 
was part of the money sent to them whilst prisoners in New 
York. (Signed,) Tabitha Gibbs." From the account with 
Nathaniel Allen—" Sept 27, 1777, To cash left with Joseph 
Agard to be paid to Mrs. Allen, that was left with me when 
Mr. Allen died.^^ From the account with Pliineas Goodwin — 
" To back rations 16 days at Fort Washington," &c. The 
fate of some of these individuals, together with that of many 
others belonging to this company, will be more fully explained 
in the narrative wliicli follows. 

About the 1st of November, 1776, thirty-six picked men, (all 
of whose names are given in tlie preceding roll,) were placed 
imder the command of Capt. Beebe and sent to Fort Washing- 
ton to aid in its defense. This post, together with Fort Lee 
on the Jersey shore, commanded the mouth of the Hudson, 
and was hence regarded by the enemy as a tempting prize. 
In anticipation of an attack, the works had been strengthened 
and reinforced. At the critical time, the Fort and Harlem 
Heights were manned by two Pennsylvania Regiments com- 
manded by Colonels Magraw and Shea,Rawlin's Riflemen from 
Maryland, some of the militia of the flying camp, and a few 
companies detailed from the Connecticut Regiments. On the 
15th of November, Sir William Howe summoned Colonel Ma- 
graw, (who had the chief command of the garrison,) to sur- 
render. That brave officer, acting under the immediate ad- 
vice of Generals Putnam and Greene, responded, that he 
would defend himself to the last extremity. On the morning 
of the 16th the attack was commenced at four different points 
nearly at the same moment. The Hessians under Knyphau- 
sen assaulted the south side ; the English Light Infantry, two 
battalions of Guards, the 33d Regiment, and a body of Grena- 
diers, commanded by General Matthews and Lord Cornwallis, 
attacked the east side ; on the south, a feint was attempted by 
Colonel Sterling with the 42d Regiment ; while Lord Percy, 
with a very strong corps, directed the assault upon the west- 
ern flank of the fortress. The assailants were provided with 
excellent trains of artillery, which were brought to bear with 



FORT WASHIKGTON. 99 

effect. The attack was prosecuted with extraordinary energy 
and spirit, and the Americans continued to defend themselves 
until resistance became fruitless. During a recess in the fight, 
the garrison was again summoned to surrender; and, after a 
brief consultation with the officers, Magraw capitulated. The 
entire American force, amounting to two thousand six hun- 
dred men, surrendered as prisoners of war. During the seige, 
the enemy lost about twelve hundred, and the Americans 
about four hundred. 

Gorton, the historian, informs us that "while the enemy were 
advancing to the attack, Generals Washington, Putnam and 
Greene, and Colonel Knox, with their aids, crossed the river 
and approached toward the Fol't. They were warned of their 
danger, and, after much persuasion, were induced to return. 
The garrison, however, was watched with intense interest by 
Washington, who, from Fort Lee, could view several parts of 
the attack ; and when he saw his men bayoneted, and in that 
way killed wliile begging for quarter, he cried with the tender- 
ness of a child, denouncing the barbarity that was practiced." 

The terms of the capitulation were regarded as liberal and 
honorable on the part of the victors, and highly favorable to 
the vanquished. The manner in which those terms were vio- 
lated, and every principle of humanity set at naught, by the 
miscreants into whose hands the unfortunate prisoners were 
placed, is without a parallel in the history of the revolutionary 
struggle. Crowded, with hundreds of others, into the Sugar- 
House and on board the Prison-Ships, without air or water 
and for the first two days without food, contagion and death 
were the natural consequences. The dysentery, small-pox, 
and other terrible diseases, broke out among them, and very 
few of the whole number survived the terrible ordeal. On the 
27th of December, 1776, an exchange of prisoners took place. 
Only eleven of Captain Bcebe's Company were able to sail for 
Connecticut, viz.. Marsh, Woodruif, R. Loomis, B. Beach, N. 
Beach, Marshall, Brownson,Bissell, Little, Benedict and Mason. 
Six of these died on their way home, viz., Bissell, Brownson, B. 
Beach, Marsh, Marshall and Loomis. The remainder of those 
who were living at that date, being too ill to be removed, were 



100 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD, 

left behind — where all (except Sergeant Mather,) died within a 
few days, most of them with the small-pox. Here follow the 
names of these " picked men." The notes prefixed, appear to 
have been added by Captain Beebe at the different periods 
corresponding with the dates : 

" An Account of the Prisoners'' Names and Places of Confine- 
ment. 
Sergt. Cotton Mather — returned home. 
Sergt. David Hall — died of the small-pox on board the Gros- 

vener, Dec. 11, 1776. 
Elijah Loomis — died. 

Gershora Gibbs — died on board the ship, Dec. 29, 1776. 
- Timothy Stanley — died on bgard the ship, Dec. 26, 1776. 
Amos Johnson — died Dec. 26, 1776. 
Timothy Marsh — died on his way home. 
Barnias Beach — died on liis way home. 
Samuel Vaill — died on board the Grosvener, Dec. 27, 1776. 
Nathaniel Allen — died of small-pox, Jan. 1, 1777. 
Enos Austin — died of the small-pox, Dec. 4, 1776, in the 

evening. 
Gideon Wilcoxson — died. 
Thomas Mason — reached home. 
Alexander McNiel — died. 

Daniel Smith — died in New York, of small-pox, Jan. 1, 1777. 
Noah Beach — reached home. 
Daniel Benedict — reached home. 
Isaac Gibbs — died Jan. 15, 1777. 
Oliver Marshall — died on his way home. 
Solomon Parmely — went on board the ship, and I fear he is 

drowned, as I cannot find him. 
David Olmsted — died Jan. 4, 1777. 
Jared Stuart — died Jan. 26, 1777, in the morning. 
John Lyman — died Jan 26, 1777. 
Elisha Brownson — died on his way home. 

The above Prisoiiers are at Livingston's Sugar House. 

Zebulon Bissell — died in Woodbury, on his way home. 

Aaron Stoddard— died Jan. 12, 1777. 

John Parmely — died Jan. 15, 1777. 

Joel Taylor— died Jan. 9, 1777. 

James Little — reached home. 

Phineas Goodwin — died Jan. 5, 1777. 

[TAe above at the Church called the North Church. 



TREATMENT OF PRISONERS. 101 

Oliver Woodruff — reached home. 
Remembrance Loomis — died on his way home. 
[ Tlie above at Bridewell. 

The above Prisoners belong to Capt. Beebe's Company, Col. 
Bradley's Regiment. 

Corporal Samuel Cole,"^ Were either killed or made 
Jeremiah Weed, 1 their escape from Fort Wash- 
Joseph Spencer, j ington, on the 16th of Novem- 
John Whiting, j ber, 1776." 

Probably no similar instance of mortality occurred during 
the entire war. Only six survivors out of a company of 
thirty-six hale and hearty young men, is a per-centage of loss 
rarely reached even in the most fatal engagements. But few, 
if any, of these men were slain in battle. They died misera- 
ble deaths, from cold, hunger, thirst, suffocation, disease, and 
the vilest cruelty from those to whom they had surrendered 
their arms on a solemn promise of fair and honorable treat- 
ment ! Well might Ethan Allen (a professed infidel,) with 
clenched teeth, exclaim to Captain Beebe, as he did on one 
occasion — " I confess my faith in my own creed is shaken ; 
there ought to be a hell for such infernal scoundrels as that 
Lowrie !" — referring to the officer in charge of the prisoners. 
Captain Beebe, in consideration of his office, was allowed 
the limits of the city on his parol of honor, but was compelled 
to provide himself with food, lodging, and shelter. He was 
accustomed to visit his men daily, so long as any remained, 
and did whatever he was allowed to do, to alleviate their 
wretched condition. He was not exchanged with the other 
prisoners, but was detained within the " limits " for nearly a 
year, at his own expense. During much of this time, Colonel 
Allen was held in New York as a prisoner of war ; and, before 
the remnant of the Litchfield soldiers were exchanged, these 
two gallant officers often met for consultation. 

In June, 1776, the General Assembly ordered six battalions 
to be raised in this State and marched directly to New York, 
there to join the continental army. A company was raised 
in Litchfield for this service, of which Abraham Bradley was 
Captain, Tilley Blakesley, 1st Lieutenant, Thomas Catliu, 2d 
Lieutenant, and James Morris, Jr., Ensign. 



102 THE HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

Among the " Wolcott Papers " is preserved the followmg 
Deposition made on the 3d of May, 1777, before Andrew Ad- 
ams, Esq., /. P., by Lieutenant Thomas Catlin, of this town, 
(father of the late Dr. Abel Catlin,) who was an officer in the 
American army in New York in 1776. He avers, in substance, 
" That he was taken Prisoner by the British Troops on New 
York Island, September 15, 1776, and confined with a great 
number in close Gaol, eleven days ; that he had no susten- 
ance for forty-eight hours after he was taken ; that for eleven 
whole days they had only about two days' allowance, and their 
pork was offensive to the smell. That forty-two were confined 
in one house, till Fort Washington was taken, when the house 
was crowded with other Prisoners ; after which they were in- 
formed they should have two-thirds allowance — which consis- 
ted of very poor Irish Pork, Bread hard, mouldy and wormy, 
made of canail and dregs of flax-seed. The British Troops had 
good bread. Brackish water was given to the Prisoners, and 
he had seen $1 50 given for a common pail of water. Only 
between three and four pounds of Pork was given three men 
for three days. That for near three months, the private sol- 
diers were confined in the Churches, and in one were eight 
hundred and fifty ; that about the 25th of December, 1776, 
he and about two hundred and twenty-five others were put on 
board the Glasgow at New York to be- carried to Coiinecticut 
for exchange. They were on board eleven days, and kept on 
black, coarse broken bread, and less pork than before. Twen- 
ty-eight died during these eleven days ! They were treated 
with great cruelty, and had no fire for sick or well. They 
were crowded between decks, and many died through hardship, 
ill usage, hunger and cold." 

This is another specimen of the treatment of our prison- 
ers by the enemy. It is a source of gratification to every 
American to be able to say, that British prisoners in American 
hands, in the same contest, were treated more like gentlemen 
than like brutes. 

" Before the revolution," says Mr. Gibbs, in his History of 
the Administrations of Washington and Adams, "a leaden 
equestrian statue of George III. stood in the Bowling Green 



THE LEADEN STATUE. 103 

in the city of New York. At the breaking out of the war, 
this was overthrown, and, lead being highly valuable, was sent 
to General Wolcott's at Litchfield for safe keeping ; where, in 
process of time, it was cut up and run into bullets by his 
daughters and their friends." 

In a paper read before the New York Historical Society, by 
the author above quoted, in October, 1844, he gives a curious 
and interesting history of this statue, from which the foUo^ng 
extracts are made : 

"Account of the Statue of George III. formerly standings 
ON the Bowling Green, New York. 

" Most of the members are probably aware that an Equestrian 
Statue of King George III. stood upon the Bowling Green, in this 
city, prior to the RevoUition, and was overthrown soon after its com- 
mencement. I believe, however, that its subsequent fate has never 
been recorded, and having in my possession a paper giving authentic 
information on the subject, I have supposed that the royal effigy 
might be worth a brief obituary. 

Holt's (New York) Gazette, as quoted by Mr. Dunlap, gives the 
following notice of its erection : 

' August 21st, 1770, being the birth-day of Prince Frederick, the 
father of George III., an elegant Equestrian Statue of his present 
Majesty, George III. was erected in the Bowling Green, near Fort 
George. On this occasion the members of his Majesty's Council, the 
City Corporation, the Corporation of the Chamber of Commerce, the 
Corporation of the Marine Society, and most of the gentlemen of the 
City and Army, waited on his Honor, the Lieutenant-Governor Col- 
den, in the Fort, at his request ; when his Majesty's and other loyal 
healths were drunk umler a discharge of thirty-two pieces of cannon, 
from the Battery, accompanied with a band of music. This beautiful 
Statue is made of metal [ Dunlap says, by way of parenthesis, ' the 
writer did not like to say what metal represented his royal majesty, 
the best of kings — it was lead,''] being the first equestrian one of his 
present Majesty, and is the workmanship of that celebi'ated statuary, 
Mr. Wilton of London.' 

Symptoms of disloyalty, betokening revolution I suppose, soon man- 
ifested themselves in the rude treatment of the effigy, for on the 6th 
or February, 1773. an act was passed ' to prevent the defacing of 
statues which are erected in the city of New York.' 

Upon the above account Mr. Dunlap observes — ' This statue stood 
till sometime in 1776. I saw it in 1775. In 1776 it was thrown 
down, and tradition says converted into bullets to resist his gracious 
majesty's soldiers when sent to enforce the doctrine of ' the sovereign- 
ty of the British Parliament over the Colonies in all cases whatsoever' 
— the doctrine of Mr. Pitt, Lord Chatham, which he died in an effort 
to enforce. The pedestal stood until long after the Revolution. No 



104 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

fragment of the horse or his rider was ever seen after its overthrow, 
and so completely had the memory of the event been lost, that I have 
never found a person who could tell me on what occasion it was or- 
dered, or when placed in the Bowling Green.' 

Some coteraporary notices of the destruction of this effigy have 
been pointed out to me, which I will cite. The first is from a book 
of general orders issued by Washington, the original of which is in 
the possession of this Society. It is as follows : 

' July 10. — Though the General doubts not the persons who pulled 
down and mutilated the statue in Broadway last night, acted in the 
public cause, yet it has so much the appearance of riot and want of 
order in the army, that he disapproves of the manner, and directs that 
in future these things shall be avoided by the soldiery and left to be 
executed by proper authority.' 

The next is in a letter from Ebenezer Hazard to General Gates, 
dated July 12th, 1776, which will be found among the Gates Papers, 
and in the Society's Collection — and is as follows: 

'The King of England's arms have been burned in Philadelphia, 
and his statue here has been pulled down to make musket balls of, 
so that his troops will probably have melted majesty fired at them.' 

Another is in a letter from New York, of July 11, 1776, published 
in the New Hampshire Gazette of the 27th — 

' Last Monday evening, the Equestrian Statue of George III., with 
tory pride and iblly raised in the year 1770, was, by the Sons of 
Freedom, laid prostrate in the dust — the just desert of an ungrateful 
tyrant. The lead wherewith this monument is made, is to be run 
into bullets, to assimulate with the brains of our infatuated adversa- 
ries, who, to gain a peppercorn, have lost an empire. A gentleman 
who was present at the ominous fall of his leaden majesty, looking 
back to the original's hopeful beginning, pertinently exclaimed in the 
language of the angel to Lucifer — ' If thou be'est he, but ah how 
fallen ! how changed !' ' 

Mr. Stephens* (Incidents of Travel in Russia, etc., vol. ii, p. 23,) 
mentions having met with a curious memorial of its destruction, and 
at an out of the way place. This was a gaudy and flaring engraving 
in a black wooden frame, representing the scene of its destruction, 
which he found in a tavern at Chioff, in Russia. 'The grouping of 
picture,' he says, ' was rude and grotesque, the ringleader being a long 
negro stripped to his trowsers, and straining with all his might upon 
a rope, one end of which was fastened to tlie head of the statue and 
the other tied around his own waist, his white teeth and the whites of 
his eyes being particularly conspicuous on a heavy ground of black.' 
How this picture found its way to Russia, it would be difficult to 
imagine ; it would certainly be not less a curiosity here than there. 

The document I have mentioned gives an account of its remaining 
history in a shape which history seldom assumes, that of an account 

* John L. Stephens, the celebrated traveler, was a graduate of the Litchfield Law 
School. 



THE LEADEN STATUE. 105 

current. It is preserved among the papers of General (afterwards 
Governor) Wolcott, of Connecticnt. It is a statement of the number 
of cartridges made from the materials of the statue by the young la- 
dies of Litchfield, and is in these words : 

* Mrs. Marvin, 3456 cartridges. 

" . " on former account, 2602 

6058 

11,592 

8378 



Ruth Marvin on former account, 6204 

Not sent to court house 449 packs, 5388 



Laura, on former account, 4250 

Not sent to court house 344 packs, 4128 



Mary Ann, on former account, 5762 

Not sent to the court house 119 packs, out 
of which I let Col. Perley Howe have 
3 packs, 5028 

10,790 

Frederick, on former account, 708 

Not sent to court house 19 packs, 228 



936 



37,754 
Mrs. Beach's two accounts, 2,002 

Made by sundry persons, 2,182 

Gave Litchfield Militia, on alarm, 50 

Let the regiment of Col. Wigglesworth have 300 



Cartridges, No. 42,288 

Overcharged in Mrs. Beach's account, 200 



42,088' 



The original document is in General Wolcott's hand writing, and 
is endorsed ' number of cartridges made.' There is no date to it, nor 
is there mention made by him of the fact of their being made from the 
statue ; but a memorandum added by his son, the last Governor Wol- 
cott, explains it as follows: 

' N. B. An equestrian statue of George the Third of Great Britain 
was erected in the city of New York, on the Bowling Green, at the 
lower end of Broadway. Most of the materials were lead, but richly 
gilded to resemble gold. At the beginning of the Revolution, this 
statue was overthrown. Lead then being scai'ce and dear, the statue 
was broken in pieces, and the metal ti'ansported to Litchfield as a 
place of safety. The ladies of the village converted the lead into cart- 
ridges, of which the preceding is an account. 0. W.' 

The Mrs. and Miss Marvin and Mrs. Beach, mentioned in the pa- 
per, belonged to families who yet reside in Litchfield ; the other per- 
sons named, were the two daughters and youngest son of General 
Wolcott. * 14 



106 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Litchfield, it may be noticed, was, during the war, a place of great 
importance as a military depot. After the capture of New York by 
the British in 1776, all communication between New P2ngland and 
Pennsylvania was turned to the westward of the Highlands on the 
Hudson, and the troops and stores were usually passed through that 
village as a point on the most convenient route to the posts on the 
river yet in possession of the Americans. General Wolcott, who was 
a member of the Continental Congress, lived there ; and, during the 
intervals of his congressional attendance, was constantly occupied in 
raising troops to supply the requisitions of Washington, Putnam and 
Gates. It appears from his letters that he returned to Connecticut 
shortly after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, of 
which he was one of the signers, and it is probable that the statue was 
transported there at his instance, immediately after its destruction. 
Of its identity as the material for the cartridges above mentioned, 
there can be no doubt. The last Governor Wolcott, on graduating 
from Yale College in 1778, was appointed to an office in the Quarter 
Blaster's Department, under General Greene, and was posted at Litch- 
field in charge of the stores there. His opportunity for knowing the 
fact, as mentioned in his note, was therefore certain. The late Hon. 
Judge Wolcott, moreover, who figures in the account as ' Frederick,' 
and who was a boy at the time, informed me a few years ago that he 
well remembered the circumstance of the statue being sent there, and 
that a shed was erected tor the occasion in an apple-orchard adjoining 
the house, where his father chopped it up with a wood axe, and the 
girls hud a frolic in running the bullets and making tliem up into cart- 
ridges. I suppose the alarm of the militia, on which some were dis- 
tributed, was Tryon's Invasion in 1777, when Danbury was burnt. 
On this occasion, fourteen men, the last in Litchjidd capable of hear- 
ing arms, were started at midnight to aid in repulsing the enemy." 

A few miscellaneous facts relating to Litchfield men are 
here introduced nearly in chronological order. 

It should have been mentioned jDreviously, that Captain 
David Welch, of Litchfield, commanded a company that was 
called into active service early in 1775, and in April of that 
year he vras commissioned as Major in Colonel Hinman's regi- 
ment. He served throughout the war, and was an efficient 
and popular officer. During this year, also, Jedediah Strong 
was appointed a Commissary to purchase Horses for the Army ; 
and Oliver Wolcott was chosen a member of the continental 
congress. Fisher Gay, of Farmington, (a native of this town,) 
was one of the Lieutenant-Colonels appointed and commis- 
sioned at the special session of the Legislature held in March. 

In May, 1776, Amos Parmeley was allowed by the Assembly 
^£14: 12: 1, lawful money, " for nursing his sick son, John, 



MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS. 107 

who was a soldier in Major Welch's company, General Woos- 
ter's regiment, in the northern army, in 1775." This is the 
John Parmeley who died in captivity in New York, in Janu- 
ary, 1777. Jedediah Strong was appointed Commissary for 
the purchase of Clothing, and on a Committee to exchange bills 
of credit for specie. 

On the 4th of July, Oliver Wolcott appended his name to 
the Declaration of Independence. In October he was re- 
appointed a member of the continental congress. 

Drs. Reuben Smith and Seth Bird were appointed by the 
Legislature, in October, on a committee " to examine all per- 
sons in this State that should be offered at Surgeons or Sur- 
geons' Mates in the continental army or navy, and if found 
qualified, to give them certificates." 

Andrew Adams was appointed, with others, to cause the 
arrest of all suspected persons, and those dangerous to the 
liberties of America. 

In December, the Legislature appointed Tapping Reeve and 
Lynde Lord on a committee to " to rouse and animate the 
])eople," and endeavor to procure the enlistment of volunteers 
for Washington's army. A company was forthwith raised in 
Litchfield, and the following officers were commissioned — Na- 
thaniel Goodwin, Captain ; Alexander Waugh, Lieutenant ; 
and Ozias Goodwin, Ensign. At the same session. Colonel 
Wolcott was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, and 
given the command of the Fourth Brigade. 

While General Wolcott was attending npon the sessions of 
Congress in Philadelphia, his principal Litchfield correspon- 
dents (aside from Mrs. Wolcott and his son Oliver,) were 
Samuel Lyman, Esq., and Dr. Reuben Smith — both, of course, 
true patriots. Mr. Lyman was accustomed to write upon 
family matters, and on public affairs generally ; while Dr. 
Smith kept the General advised on subjects of local interest. 
We give the subjoined letter from Dr. Smith entire — with the 
simple suggestion, that considerable allowance must be made 
for the personal and political prejudices of the writer. His 
insinuation in regard to Major Welch, for instance, was alike 
ungenerous and uncalled for. If his active service on the 



108 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

field does not afford sufficient evidence of his zeal in the cause 
of Independence, we have yet a surer test of his patriotism in 
the fact that it was again and again endorsed by a majority of 
his fellow-townsmen, in electing him to various pviblic offi- 
ces — at times, too, when they would not tolerate the least 
suspicion of toryism. When Dr. Smith's letter was writ- 
ten, a feeling of coldness and despondency seemed to pre- 
vail among the patriots throughout the colonies. A re-action 
had succeeded the enthusiasm with which the Revolution was 
inaugurated. Frequent reverses had led some of the truest 
friends of freedom to fear as to the final result of the conflict 
in which they were engaged. In addition to this, the fact is 
not to be disguised that there had been from the first a for- 
midable minority of the voters of this town who were bitter 
opponents of the " Great Rebellion," as they were wont to 
term it. These facts will serve to account for the temporary 
inactivity of the patriots in Litchfield, of which the Doctor 
complains. 

" Litchfield, 17th April, 1777. 

Hon'd Sir — Your favor of the 1st instant came to hand the 15th, 
and I now sit down to ^v^you the desired information, though ignor- 
ant ot" any proper conve/ance. 

At the Town Council in January, John Marsh, 3d, and Daniel Rowe, 
were objected^taas-Innholders ; upon which Captain John, who is 
this year one of the Selectmen, moved that Marsh might be called in, 
which was agreed to. He accordingly came in, and acknowledged 
the^everal charges in substance, and openly declared that in his opin- 
ion America had better settle the dispute on the best terras they could 
obtain from Great Britain ; that the further we proceeded, the deeper 
we should get in the mire, (his own words.) and must finally submit. 
Captain John tried to help him out, by putting some questions which 
would admit of ambiguous answers ; but the young man was too open 
and frank in his answers, and accordingly was left out, as was Rowe. 
Captain Seymour and David Stoddard were put in their room. 

The latter end of January I joined the array under General Woos- 
ter, and retreating soon after in a stormy night, was over fatigued, 
fell sick, was carried up to Ilorseneck and there discharged, and re- 
turned home some time in February. Some soldiers having brought 
home the small pox, I found a number had ventured upon innoculation 
without making proper provision that it might not spread in the town. 
The peo2)le were much divided ; some warmly engaged for innocula- 
tion, others as warmly opposed. Unhappily for me, I was chosen one 
of the Selectmen this year, (with Captain Marsh, Mr. Strong, Cap- 
tain McNiele and Captain Osborn,) and was therefore under a necessi- 



LETTER FROM DR. REUBEN SMITH. 109 

ty of interposing in the matter ; and thought best, as it was against 
law, neither to encourage or oppose, but endeavor to bring it under 
proper reguhitions — in which, however, I failed of the wished for suc- 
cess, our counsels being very much divided. Several having taken it 
the natural way from those that were innoculated, Captain Marsh 
was engaged to crush innoculation wholly ; and some people have 
been so unreasonable as to say Mr. Strong was both for and against 
it. Be that as it way, it served as a game. Both had like to have 
been losers. 

I can't recollect that March produced anything very remarkable 
except the struggle about the small pox. 

April is a month of great importance and expectation. Several 
appeared by the suffrages to be candidates for election at the Freemen's 
Meeting. Mr. Adams came in first; and, after many rounds, Mr. 
Strong just carried it against Captain Bradley. Captain John Marsh 
fell much short of the number 1 expected. Major Welch, who for 
some time has appeared a cool friend of the American cause, was ob- 
served to have nearly all the tory votes. So much for Deputies. The 
Constables for Litchfield were Lieutenant Mason, (since dead,) Al- 
exander Catlin, Briant and David Stoddard. Lieutenant Mason was 
appointed in the winter service, was seized with a pleurisy at De- 
Lancey's Mills, (Westchester,) sent over to Rochelle, and when we 
retreated from Fort Independence, was removed to Mamrock, where 
he died the same day. His eldest son, who was with Captain Beebe 
at Fort Washington, came home about the same time in a very miser- 
able condition, and is since dead. Captain Beebe and Lieutenant 
Jesse Grant still remain in captivity. It was said, after our success 
at Trenton and Princeton, that we were abundantly able to exchange 
all our prisoners; and certain it is, that we have numbers in hand, 
and yet our people are held prisoners. Is there not somewhere a neg- 
lect? May these partial ills be productive of universal good ! Has 
my honoi'ed friend any bright prospects ? Has he any cordial for 
one almost in the Nadir of Despondency ? Public spirit and virtue 
exist with us only in idea. Almost every one is pursuing his private 
gain, to the entire neglect of the public good. Our proportion of the 
continental army, I believe, is not half completed. Men will not en- 
list, and if drafted only for six weeks, (as has lately been the case,) 
they will rather pay a fine of five pounds. Thirteen men were the 
other day drafted in Captain Marsh's company to go to Peekskill and 
to be held but six Aveeks after their arrival. Not one has gone or in- 
tends to go. This town met last week and voted £12 premium for 
every one that should erdist into the continental army for three years 
or during the war; but I cannot learn that one man has enlisted since. 
This day orders came to town from the Governor and Council of Safe- 
ty to fill up the Eight Battalions immediately, by drafting men out of 
the militia and alarm companies, till the 1st of January; but it will 
not be done, as a fine of five pounds will excuse from going. 

Our money is continually depreciating. This week, John Collins 
sold two yoke of oxen for £95, which might have been bought a twelve 
month past for £20 per yoke. Every necessary article is continually 



110 HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

rising in price, which proves a fatal discouragement to men's engag- 
ing in the service ; for if they go, their families (say they) must un- 
avoidably suffer and starve, as their bounty and pay will not procure 
them the necessary support. 

Monday, 'ISth April. — Finding no opportunity of forwarding the 
foregoing, direct, it has lain by until this time, and now send it to the 
Post Otiice in Hartford with the following addition : 

Intelligence was brought to town last Saturday afternoon, that 
twenty-ibur Transports were come to a place called Compo, between 
Fairfield and Norwalk, and that the troops were landing. About two 
o'clock next morning, an Express came from New Milford, who in- 
formed that the troops landed to the number of three thousand, with 
some light field-pieces, and proceeded direct to Danbury, where they 
arrived without the least opposition on Saturday at two o'clock in the 
afternoon, took possession of our stores and the town, which was said 
to be in flames when the Express came away. The people with 
great spirit turned out immediately from all our towns, but I fear to 
little purpose ; for if they fired the town Satui-day afternoon, they will 
get on board their shipping before our people get down. Last night, 
advice was brought that the enemy was landing at New Haven on 
Saturday night, but I imagine it to be only a feint in order to prevent 
their retreat being cut off. We have heard nothing from Danbury 
since the departure of our people. The Tories are grown very inso- 
lent, but I believe they will not dare attempt anything openly with us. 

]\Irs. Wolcott and family are well. Oliver is gone to Danbury. 
My haste must apologize for abruptness, «&:c. 

I am, Sir, Your Humble Servant, 

REUBEN SMITH. 

Hon. Oliver Wolcott, Philadelphia." 

The last Governor Wolcott (then a student at Yale College,) 
"was in Litchfield at the time of the alarm. Awakened at 
midnight by the summons to repair to the rendezvous of the 
militia, he armed himself; his mother, furnishing his knapsack 
with provisions and a blanket, hastened his departure, and 
dismissed him with the charge " to conduct like a good sol- 
dier." He, with the other volunteers from this town, partici- 
pated in the skirmish at Wilton, as well as in the subsequent 
attacks during the retreat of the British from the burning of 
Danbury. 

From another letter written by Dr. Smith to General Wol- 
cott, (dated at Litchfield, May 12th, 1777,) we make the fol- 
lowing extracts. It was penned, as will be observed, after 
the return of the Litchfield soldiers from the Danbury Alarm : 

" Sunday morning, 27th April, about one o'clock, we were alarmed 
Our people turned out spiritedly ; came up with the rear of the ene. 



THE DANBURY ALARM. Ill 

my about eleven the next day, a little below Wilton meeting-house, 
and pursued them aboard their ships. Paul Peck was killed in the 
last attack on the enemy. Levi Peck, (Thomas Peck's son,) was 
wounded in the shoulder about the same time. In Wilton, Ozias 
Goodwin was wounded in the arm, and Salmon Buel had one of his 
thighs broken, and the other shot through with the same ball.* 

The infamous Daniel Griswold came into the western part of this 
town, the morning before the alarm, and was there concealed till 
Monday ; and took off to join the ministerial army, David Kilbourn, 
Benjamin Kilbourn's son Charles, Isaac Kilbourn's son Abraham, and 
Samuel Kilbourn son of Giles Kilbourn, Jonathan Smith, Jr , and his 
brother Elisha, (who was enlisted in the light horse,) David Joy, Ben- 
jamin Doolittle, Josiah Stone, and John Davies' son David, and one 
John Beach of Woodbury who lived at Josiah Stone's. 

The Wednesday following they were taken, (except Benjamin Doo- 
little and Charles Kilbourn, who it is said were killed in attempting 
to escape,) t and were carried to Derby, where they were tried by a 
Court Martial, and Griswold was sentenced to be hanged; which 
sentence was executed on the Monday following, at New Haven. 
The rest were pardoned, upon their enlisting into the continental army 
during the War. 

Governor Franklin is confined in our Gaol, and a constant Guard 
is kept. We trust he will find it difficult to escape, should he attempt 
it. I understand he utterly denies the charge of dispensing Pardons 
and Protections." 

Of Paul Peck, alluded to in the letter of Dr. Smith, it is 

said, " he was the most expert hunter of the time in which he 

lived. At the Danbury Alarm, he put his large gun in order, 

followed the enemy to Compo, on their retreat, and took a 

station behind a stone wall, where every shot told — until he 

was rushed upon by the enemy, who took his gun from him 

and dashed his brains out with it." He was killed, April 28, 

1777, aged about seventy-five years.J 

* The Assembly allowed Mr. Buel £60 for his relief. He never fully recovered 
from the efltects of his wounds. He was the fatiier of Capt. Salmon Buel, who 
is still living. 

t These men both escaped. Doolittle remained in Litchfield until some thirty years 
ago, when he removed West. Kilbourn settled in Canada. (See Biog. Sketches.) 

t It is stated that Father Mills, the eccentric clergj-man of Torringford, wishing on 
one occasion to illustrate the certain and irrevocable doom of the wicked, told of a 
timid Berkshire fox that started on a trip to the Sound. At first he was wary of every 
step, and frightened at the rustling of a leaf. But having safely passed the snares, 
and hunters, and hounds, that beset his way, he becames careless, proud and self- 
conceited, " He enters Fat Swamp at a jolly trot, head and tail up, looking defiance 
at the enemies he has left so far behind him. But Oh, the dreadful reverse: — In the 
midst of his haughty reverie, he is brought to a sudden and everlasting stop in onb 
OF Paul Peck's traps." 



112 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Twenty or thirty prisoners of war, of various grades, were 
sometimes confined in the Litchfield Jail at once. The loca- 
tion heing so far inland, and so distant from any navigable 
stream, it was thought they would be less liable to be discov- 
ered and rescued here, than at Hartford, New Haven or Boston. 
Among those confined here in 1776 and 1777, were Mr. Mat- 
thews, the English Mayor of New York, and Hon. William 
Franklin, the royal Governor of New Jersey. Franklin was a 
son of the famous Dr. Benjamin Franklin, and held the office 
of Governor from 1763 to 1776, when he was seized by the 
whigs and conveyed to Governor Trumbull, of Connecticut, 
by whose order he was for some time confined at Wallingford 
and Middletown. In April, 1777, the Council of Safety of this 
State received an order from Congress " to confine Governor 
Franklin without pen, ink or pa[»er ; and directed him to be 
conveyed, under guard, by the Sheriff of Hartford county, to 
I^itchfield Jail." In September, we find mention made in 
the records of the Council, of an order drawn in favor of 
Lynde Lord, Esq., of Litchfield, of XlOO toward the expense 
of the guard placed over the Governor ; and on the 15th of 
January, 1778, another similar order was drawn in favor of 
Sheriff Lord. 

Governor Franklin, after his release, went to England, and 
was pensioned for his sufferings and losses. He died in 1813, 
aged 86. 

Under date of August 1, 1776, in the proceedings of the 
Council of War, occurs the following record as copied by Hin- 
man, (Hist. Rev. p. 377): " Letters from the Convention of 
New York sent by Mr. De Peyster, respecting the pris- 
oners sent from New York to Litchfield Jail, were read ; and 
thereupon ordered, that the Mayor of New York should be 
brought to Hartford and there confined. Gilbert Forbes and 
William Forbes were directed to be confined in Litchfield jail, 
and the other ten to be taken to Norwich jail ; and warrants 
were ordered to be sent to the several jailers." 

In the proceedings of the Council of Safety, under date of 
August 26, 1776, occurs the following memorandum, viz., 
" Last Monday, David Matthews, Mayor of the City of New 



PUBLIC MEN IN LITCHFIELD. 113 

York, was brought from Litchfield, and on Friday was return- 
ed to Litchfield, to remain under the care of Captain Moses 
Seymour." 

The first Pleasure Carriage ever brought into this town, was 
presented by Mayor Matthews to Mrs. Moses Seymour, whose 
husband, it will be seen, had the custody of the Mayor. The 
carriage was in use here as recently as 1818. The Mayor's 
traveling trunk is still in this town, in possession of one of 
Major Seymour's descendants. 

Early in 1777, orders were issued for raising eight battalions 
in Connecticut for the continental service, " to serve for three 
years, or during the war." Ninety-two of the soldiers for 
these battalions were ordered to be raised in Litchfield. In 
April of this year, the town voted to pay out of the treasury 
to each soldier that should enlist for the full term specified, the 
sum of twelve pounds per annum, in addition to the pay they 
might receive from the State or General Governments. The 
Selectmen were at the same time directed to lay a tax for the 
purpose designated, and Messrs. Miles Bach, Leman Stone, 
Moses Barns and Stephen Bidwell, were appointed Collectors. 

Before proceeding farther, it is proper to add, that at the 
period of which we are writing, Litchfield was the home of a 
remarkable number of educated and thinking men — some of 
whom were already distinguished, and others who were des- 
tined to act an important part in their country's history, hi- 
deed, no town in the State could boast of a community more 
refined, intelligent and patrotic. Within our present borough 
limits resided, Oliver Wolcott, Andrew Adams, Reynold Mar- 
vin, Tapping Reeve, Isaac Baldwin, Samuel Lyman, Isaac 
Baldwin, Jr., Elisha Sheldon, John Pierce, Jr., Dr. Thomas 
Little, Lynde Lord, Rev. Timothy Collins, Rev. Judali Cham- 
pion, Dr. Lemuel Hopkins, Dr. Reuben Smith, Moses Seymour, 
Timothy Skinner, Abraham Bradley, William Stanton, Am- 
brose Collins, Elijah Wadsworth, and Ephraim Kirby — all of 
whom, and many more, were conspicuous as public men and 
patriots. To this " goodly companie" were soon added, Oli- 
ver Wolcott, Jr., Ashbel Baldwin, Ezekiel Woodruff, Julius 
Deming, Uriah Tracy and Doct. Daniel Sheldon — who all 

15 



114 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

became residents here before the close of the war. Sixteen of 
the gentlemen named, were graduated at Yale College, and 
one (Judge Reeve) at the College of New Jersey ; three were 
memlbers of the State Council ; four were members of the na- 
tional congress, or became such ; seven were captains in the 
revolutionary army, and four rose to the rank of general offi- 
cers ; two became Chief Justices and two Governors of the 
State. Jedediah Strong, whose residence was just outside the 
limits stated, was a member of the State Council and of the 
continental Congress. Every section of the town, in fact, 
furnished its full proportion of able and faithful men both in 
public stations and in private life — some of whom have already 
been referred to. Among these were Dr. Setli Bird, Rev. 
George Beckwith, Colonel Beebe, Major Welch, Captains 
Morris, McNiel, Goodwin, Osborn, Stone, Waugh, Stoddard, 
Biiel, &c. 

The era was characterized by a rancor of party feeling 
which has rarely been equalled in the history of this or any 
other country. At times, the zeal of the patriots knew no 
bounds, and they naturally enough regarded all who differed 
from them relative to the kingly prerogative, as foes to liberty 
and inimical to the vital interests of the country. The gen- 
tlemen named above, belonged to the popular and triumphant 
party, and their memory is cherished by a grateful posterity. 
There were others in this town, as elsewhere throughout the 
land — honorable, influential and conscientious men — who, 
while they openly disapproved of many acts of the parliament, 
were yet warmly attached to the royal cause. They looked 
upon revolution as not only treason to their sovereign, but 
predestined to be ruinous to all who might engage in it ; and 
they chose to suffer what they regarded as only temporary evils, 
rather than rush into the vortex of war for redress. Nor is 
all this a matter of surprise, when we consider the force of ed- 
ucation. In the colonies, as in England, the people had been 
taught that, next to religion, loyalty was the cardinal virtue. 
" Fear God, and honor the King-,'' was a precept which none 
but the infidel and traitor had ventured to gainsay. Some 
argued that any attempt at independence was rank ingratitude 



THE CHURCH OP ENGLAND. 115 

on our part. " In our weakness," said they, " were not the 
armies of England again and again sent over to protect us 
from the French and Indians ?" The Episcopalians, or mem- 
bers of the Church of England, were drawn towards the moth- 
er country by still stronger and dearer ties. Their clergymen 
were ordained and set apart to the work of the ministry, by 
English Bishops ; and their Book of Common Prayer taught 
them to pray for the King and Royal Family. Besides, Litch- 
field was still a "missionary station," under the direction and 
patronage of the " Venerable Society in England for Propaga- 
ting the Gospel in Foreign Parts" — the Rector of St. Michael's 
Church receiving a portion of his annual salary directly from 
that Society. With them, independence not only involved a 
political separation from Great Britain, but a severance of an 
ecclesiastical bond of union which they had long regarded as 
indispensable to their prosperity, if not to their very existence 
as a church. Hence a large proportion of the Episcopalians in 
Litchfield were opposed to the Revolution. This fact, it is to 
be presumed, will hardly bo called in question — and, for the 
reasons given, does not necessarily imply any lack of patriot- 
ism on their part. The late Rev. Isaac Jones, of this town, in 
his Centennial Discourse, in 1845, says — " In the War of the 
Revolution, churchmen were generally attached to the Gov 
erment of Great Britain, as were their ministers ; but not all 
of them, however. The ministers derived their support from 
the Venerable Society, etc. For their adherence to the royal 
cause, they were troubled, and suffered much. So were they 
in this town." The late Rev. Truman Marsh, for thirty years 
Rector of St. Michael's, in 1845, thus wrote : " The writer of 
this sketch can remember when, in this village, he has been 
ridiculed and insulted when going to or returning from church 
on the Lord's day ; when the windows of the church were bro- 
ken ; and in the place of broken panes of glass, wooden sliding 
windows were opened to let in the light of heaven to read the 
prayers of the Common Prayer Book. Thanks be to Heaven 
for the great change in public sentiment !" 

In such a contest as that of which we are speaking, conten- 
tions, and strifes, and bitterness, are almost inevitably engen 



116 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

dered. In this town, friends, neighbors, and even househokls, 
became divided and estranged. Not unfrequently, the father 
took one side, and the sons the other — and brothers sometimes 
took opposite sides. " Natural affection" seemed for awhile 
to be regarded as a sentiment which ought not to be tolerated 
between whig and tory. This feeling reached its culminating 
point in the death of Daniel Griswold, already mentioned in 
the letters of Dr. Smith. Griswold is said to have been a 
young man of good character and great energy, and was not 
unpopular with a large class of whigs. Perhaps, by the 
bloody code of war, he ought to have suffered death as a trai- 
tor for enlisting soldiers for the king's service ; though it is 
a fact beyond dispute, that there were among the king's troops, 
in that very contest, whole regiments of " Royal Americans," 
as they were styled. Many of the leading whigs of Litchfield 
were open in their condemnation of the action of the Court 
Martial in this instance, and the event probably did not advance 
the republican cause in this town. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE REVOLUTIONARY ERA — CONTINUED. 

From 1776 to 1780, Litchfield was a depot for military stores 
and provisions, which were guarded by a consideral>le military 
force. The depot for provisions stood on the premises now 
occupied in part by Dr. Buel's Private Lunatic Asylum, in 
North street, where a building was erected for that purpose 
sixty feet long and two stories high. On the site of the present 
Court House, was erected a building of similar dimensions as 
a depot for other military stores. A work-shop for the army, 
(which was also sixty feet in length and two stories high,) 
stood on the north side of East street, just west of the Burying 
Ground. The prisoners of war were generally kept in the 
Old Jail, which stood in East street, on £he spot now occupied 
by the dwelling-house of Mr. Charles L. Perkins. At each of 
the places here designated, a military guard was stationed 
night and day — the roll being called, the soldiers drilled, and 
the guard set, at stated intervals, with as much precision as 
would have been observed by an army encamped in the vicin- 
ity of the enemy. The stores and provisions deposited here, 
were for much of the time under the general superintendence 
of Commissary "William Richards, of Elizabethtown, N. J. 
Ashbel Baldwin, a native of this town, graduated at Yale Col- 
lege in 1776, and soon received the appointment of Quarter- 
master and was stationed here. He remained at this post be- 
tween two and three years, when he received an honorable 
discharge, and was succeeded in office by Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 
who graduated in 1778. 

On the 80th of June, 1777, Governor Trumbull wrote to 
General Wolcott, informing him that a team would be sent to 
Litchfield loaded with powder, lead and flints, and requesting 



118 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

him to send a team to Salisbury for a load of caimon-sliot to 
be forwarded to Hartford by the returning teams. By a sub- 
sequent record of the Council of Safety, it appears that on this 
occasion, there were sent to Litchfield seventeen hundred 
•pounds of gun-powder, two thousand pounds of lead, one thou- 
sand flints, and three hundred pounds of cannon-powder. 

On the 23d of July following, an order was drawn on David 
Trumbull for <£25: 5: 10, in favor of John and Daniel Dew- 
ey, " for carting powder and lead from Lebanon to Litchfield." 
Late in the autumn of this year, a large proportion of the mil- 
itary stores taken at the capture of Burgoyne were deposited 
here. 

In August, General Wolcott wrote to the Governor and 
Council, stating that he had ordered all the effective men of 
Sheldon's Horse and Humphreys' regiment, (who had not been 
called to do duty under the recent act and were liable to be 
called out of the State,) to march immediately to Peekskill, 
well provided with arms, and with forty days' provisions. The 
General's course was approved, and an order was directed to 
be drawn on the State Treasurer, in his favor, for the sum of 
£1,000. About the same time. Sheriff Lord was directed to 
procure from the merchants of Litchfield county, for the use 
of the army, four hogsheads of rum, six hogsheads of sugar, 
and two thousand pounds of coffee, at a stipulated price. If 
the merchants refused to furnish the goods at the price named, 
the Sheriff was ordered to take the articles v^herever he could 
Hnd them, at the appraisal of two or three judicious freeholders, 
and to make return of his doings to the Council. 

In September, Litchfield was established by the Council as 
the place of rendezvous for the Sixth Brigade, and Major Beebe 
was stationed here as the recruiting officer of the brigade. 

On the 7th of October, a special town meeting was held, of 
which Jacob Woodruff, Esq., was Moderator. At this meeting 
it was voted that Messrs. Lyjide Lord, Thomas Catlin, Caleb 
Gibbs, David Welch and Alexander Catlin, be a committee to 
purchase and provide shirts, frocks, overalls, stockings and 
shoes, for the non-commissioned officers and soldiers in the 
continental army belonging to this town — agreeable to a re- 



COMMITTEES APPOINTED. 119 

solve of His Excellency the Governor and Council of Safety- 
passed Sept. 12, 1777." 

The Committee of Safety, at a session held December 4th, 
appointed one person in each county to see that the Clothing 
for the Army, demanded of the several towns, was forthwith 
provided by the Selectmen ; and to furnish pack-horses, or 
other means of transportation, to convey the same to the Com- 
missary at Middletown. Alexander Catlin, of this town, was 
appointed the member of this Committee for the county of 
Litchfield. 

On the 10th of December, the following votes were passed 
in town meeting, viz. : 

" 1. Voted, That Messrs. David Welch, Nathaniel Woodruff, 
Archibald McNiel, Jr., Ebenezer Benton and Thomas Waugh, 
are hereby appointed a Committee to provide for the families 
of soldiers according to law and to the votes of the town. 

" 2. To pay the Committee a reasonable compensation for 
their time and trouble. 

" 3. That the Selectmen, together with Messrs. Tapping 
Reeve, Seth Bird, Andrew Adams, Samuel Lyman and Lynde 
Lord, be a Committee to prepare, state, and present for recove- 
ry, sundry matters and accounts for money supposed to be due 
the town. 

" 4. That the Selectmen be empowered and desired to dis- 
tribute to the non-commissioned officers and soldiers in the 
continental army belonging to this town, and to the poor of 
the town, and to the families of such as have died in the ser- 
vice, whether continental or militia, or in captivity, and to 
such other families in this town as are not in circumstances to 
to supply themselves, forty-two bushels of Salt lately brought 
from Boston — in such proportion as they shall judge most 
suitable and right — at the rate of ten shillings per bushel ; 
and the residue, to such as are able to purchase the same, at 
prime cost." 

" At a meeting of the inhabitants of Litchfield, legally warn- 
ed and convened on the sixth day of January, A. D. 1778, to 
take into consideration the Articles of Confederation and Per- 
petual Union between the States of New Hampshire, Massa- 



120 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

cliiisetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providonce Plantations, Con- 
necticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, 
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Geor- 
gia, exhibited by the Selectmen pursuant to a requisition from 
His Excellency, the Governor^the said articles being distinct- 
ly and repeatedly read and considered : 

" Voted unanimously. That the said Articles of Confedera- 
tion be approved, and that the Representatives of this town be 
instructed to use their influence and votes in the General As- 
sembly to invest the Delegates of this State with competent 
powers, in the name and behalf of this State, in continental 
congress, to subscribe and confirm the said Articles of Confed- 
eration and Perpetual Union between the States." 

Andrew Adams, Esq., was Moderator of the preceding 
meeting. 

At different dates during the continuance of the war, the 
following persons (in addition to those already named,) were 
appointed to furnish clothing, &c., for the soldiers in the pub- 
lic service from this town, and to provide for their families, 
viz., Capt. Joseph Vaill, Arthur Emons, Phineas Baldwin, 2d, 
Capt. Solomon Marsh, Lieut. David Stoddard, Judson Guiteau, 
Jonathan Wright, Timothy Skinner, Gad Farnham, Benjamin 
Webster, John Smith, Ebenezer Plumb, and John Marsh. 

In March, 1780, the following inhabitants of this town were 
appointed Inspectors of Provisions for the Army, to wit, Mr. 
Asahel Strong, Capt. Miles Beach, Capt. Reuben Stone, Lieut. 
Thomas Catlin, Capt. Archibald McNiel, Jr., Ensign Jonathan 
Wright, Mr. Abel Camp, Jr., Lieut. Lemuel Harrison, Capt. 
Zebulon Taylor, Capt. Alexander Waugh, Mr. Edward Lins- 
ley and Mr. Levi Stone. 

Li the spring of 1780, in consequence of the distressed situ- 
ation of the army that had wintered at Morristown, Washing- 
tou appealed to Governor Trumbull for assistauce, aud he 
never appealed to him in vain. The following was, related by 
the late George Washington Parke Custis to Charles Hosmer, 
Esq., of Hartford : A special messenger was despatched from 
Washington's head-quarters to Governor Trumbull, to ascer- 
tain whether ho could rely on any supplies from Connecticut. 



PROVISIONS FOR THE ARMY. 121 

The messeiigor was detained but a short tune, when Governor 
Trumbull placed a scaled letter in his hand directed to Gen- 
eral Washington. The contents of the letter were unknown 
to the bearer, but he arrived safely in camp and delivered it 
to Washington. After the commander-in-chief had looked it 
over in the presence of Mr. Custis, he remarked in the words 
of the unbelieving Lord of rfamaris — " If the Lord would make 
windows in heaven, might this thing be." He then read the 
letter aloud in the presence of Mr. Custis. Its purport was, 
that on a certain day, and at a certain hour of the day, he 
would receive at Newburgh, by a wagon-train from Hartford, 
200 barrels of Flour, 100 barrels of Beef, and 100 barrels of 
Pork. It also contained a request that a guard might be sent 
to a place specified, for the protection of the train. Notwith- 
standing Washington's unbelief, he sent a horse guard, as re- 
quested. At the hour appointed, they saw the wagon-boys of 
Connecticut approaching with their train of provisions. This 
train passed through Litchfield on their way, where they obtain- 
ed some additional supplies. When Washington received 
these provisions, he remarked to Mr. Custis — " No other man 
than Governor Trumbull could have procured them, and no 
other State than Connecticut would have furnished them." 
Accompanying the train, Colonel Henry Champion had a 
drove of cattle which were tolled across the Hudson by the 
side of small boats. Col. Champion (who held the office of 
Commissary-General,) was father of the Rev. Judah Cham- 
pion and Mrs. Julius Deming, and the grandfather of Mrs. 
Asa Bacon, all of this town. 

Early in the spring of 1780, a train of sleds loaded with 
provisions for the army, passed through Hartford and Litch- 
field on their way to Newburgh. Their progress was slow, 
and the teamsters (among whom were Eleazer Pinney and 
Ebenezer Nash of Ellington,) suffered incredible hardships on 
account of the unprecedented depth of snow and the unbroken 
state of the roads over which they passed. On arriving at the 
Hudson, they attempted to cross on the ice, when their teams 
broke through. The horse at the head of Mr. Nash's team, 
was detached from the oxen and floated under the ice. In 

16 



122 THE HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

due time, but not till after a desperate struggle, the oxen 
were all rescued from their perilous situation. The principal 
part of the stores were then drawn across the river on light 
sleds, with but a single horse attached to each. These sup- 
plies were so much needed by the army, that no risk was con- 
sidered too great in conveying them speedily to Washington's 
camp.* 

" At a legal Town Meeting, holden at Litchfield on Saturday 
the 8th day of July, A. D. 1780— the Hon. Oliver Wolcott, 
Moderator — it was voted. That to every able and effective man 
belonging to this town, to the number of fourteen, who shall 
voluntarily enlist himself into the Connecticut Battalions of 
Infantry of the Continental Army, for three years or during 
the war, this town will pay every such recruit such a sum in 
money, including the wages he shall receive from the State or 
the United States, as shall be sufficient to procure ten bushels 
of good merchantable Wheat for every month he shall so serve, 
the price of which Wheat shall be computed and the money 
paid to such recruit, or his assigns, in Litchfield, in every 
year, on the 1st day of January, during the time such recruit 
shall serve as aforesaid; and that this town will also pay as a 
Bounty to every such recruit, or his assigns, in Litchfield, on 
the 1st day of January of every year for so long a time as such 
recruit shall serve as aforesaid, at the rate of thirty bushels of 
good merchantable Wheat for one year's service, or the full 
value thereof in money — for the payment of which monies or 
wheat as aforesaid to such recruit or his assigns, in case he 
shall enlist himself into said Battalions by the 15th day of 
July instant, this town hereby becomes bound as aforesaid." 

At the same Meeting, it was 

" Voted, That whereas the Militia of this town are required 
by an order of Colonel Andrew Adams, grounded on an act or 
order of the Governor and Council of Safety made the 30th 
day of June, 1780, to furnish fourteen able and effective men 
to serve in the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army until 
the 31st day of December next, this town being anxious to give 
every necessary encouragement to the public service, hereby 

*See No. XV, " South Windsor Sketches," in Hartford Times. 



. RAISINCr RECRUITS. 123 

plight themselves to pay to every such recruit, or his assigns 
as shall voluntarily enlist himself into said Battalions by the 
10th day of July instant, to serve in said Battalions until the 
last day of December next, such sum in money as shall be suf- 
ficient, including the wages he shall receive from this State or 
the United States, to procure as much good merchantable 
AVheat as might be obtained by the monthly wages of forty 
shillings in the year 1774 — Provided, nevertheless, that the 
Militia of this town not being called upon by virtue of said 
order to furnish more than fourteen able recruits to serve in 
said Battalions. This town will not consider themselves 
bound by the votes of this day to pay Bounties or Wages to 
more than fourteen such recruits ; and in case a greater num- 
ber shall enlist, the preference shall be given to such as shall 
enlist for three years or during the war — and of them, to such 
as shall first enlist. And the Colonel or Commanding Officer 
of this Regiment is desired to discharge any supernumerary 
recruits, agreeable to these votes. 

" Voted, That a Rate or Tax of six-pence on the pound, on 
the list of 1779, be and the same is hereby laid, and made 
payable in Gold or Silver Coin or Bills of Credit of this State 
of the emissions of the present year, by the 1st day of Septem- 
ber next." 

Judson Gitteau, Timothy Skinner, Jonathan Wright and 
Ozias Lewis, were appointed to collect the said Tax. 

" At a legal Town Meeting holden at the Meeting-House in 
the first society in Litchfield, on the 15th day of November, 
Anno Dom. 1780 — Major David Welch, Moderator — is was 

" Voted, That a Tax of one shilling upon the pound be laid 
upon the Polls and Rateable Estate contained in the Grand 
List of this town, given in the year 1779, to be collected and 
paid to the Town Treasurer by the 1st day of December, next, 
in the Bills of Credit emitted by this State since the 1st day of 
January last, new Continental Money issued under the author- 
ity of this State, Gold and Silver, or old Continental Money 
after the rate of forty shillings in old Continental Money for 
one shilling Lawful Money, for purchasing Provisions and 



124 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

requisite Supplies for the Army, and to defray other necessary 
expenses of the town. 

"Voted, That Messrs. Timothy Skinner, Seth Farnham, 
Theodore Cathn and Harris Hopkins, be Collectoi-s of the said 
Tax accordingly. 

" Provided, Nevertheless, that any person may pay any part 
of said Tax in Provisions required, and at the respective prices 
fixed in the Act of Assembly made at their session in October 
last, entitled 'An Act for Collecting and Storing a Quantity 
of Provisions for the use of the Continental Army and the 
Forces raised for the Defense of this State.' 

"Voted, That Messrs. Timotliy Skinner, Seth Farnham, 
Theodore Catlin and Harris Hopkins, be a Committee to pur- 
chase Provisions agreeable to said Act of Assembly. 

" Voted, That Messrs. Miles Beach and Leman Stone be 
appointed to receive the Salt, procure Casks to contain said 
Provisions, to receive and inspect the same, see that it is good 
and merchantable and well put up, and mark and store the 
casks, and report to the Governor, agreeable to said Act of 
Assembly. 

" Voted, That said Beach and Stone be also employed to 
purchase any of such Provisions as occasion may offer or op- 
portunity present. 

" Voted, That said Timothy Skinner, Seth Farnham, Theo- 
dore Catlin, Harris Hopkins, Miles Beach and Leman Stone, 
be also appointed to purchase the Clothing required for the 
Army, agreeable to directions to be given to them from time to 
time by the Selectmen." 

December 26, 1780 — Reuben Smith, Esq., Moderator — 
" Voted, That Timothy Skinner, Heber Stone, James Stod- 
dard, Reuben Stone, David Welch and Zebulon Taylor, be a 
Committee to hire, at the cost of the town, the requisite num- 
ber of recruits to complete the quota of this town in the Con- 
necticut Line of the Army of the United States, for three years 
or during the war." 

January 9, 1781. — Colonel Andrew Adams, Moderator. — 
" Voted, That whereas it is necessary that this town raise a 
number of soldiers to fill up their quota in the Army of the 



TOWN VOTES. 125 

United States, the town does promise and engage to each sol- 
dier that shall enlist into said service in either of the Connec- 
ticut Battalions, before the 1st day of February next, that they 
will make good to him his forty shillings per month, by such 
addition to the pay he shall receive from the State or the Uni- 
ted States as shall make said pay sufficient to purchase as much 
Provisions as forty shillings would have done in 1774." 

A tax of three pence on a pound was laid on the List of 
1779, one half to be paid in Wheat Flour, Rye Flour, and 
Indian Corn. Captain Abraham Bradley and Leman Stone 
were appointed Receivers of the Flour and Corn. 

Jan. 18, 1781. — It was voted to divide the town into classes 
for the purpose of procuring the requisite number of recruits ; 
and the Selectmen, together with Captain Abraham Bradley, 
Captain John Osborn, Ensign Edward Phelps and Dr. Seth 
Bird, were appointed a Committee for that purpose. 

March 26, 1781. — Nine Foot soldiers and two Horsemen arc 
required of this town, in addition to those already in the field ; 
and the necessary steps were taken to raise them. 

July 9, 1781. — " Voted, That the men belonging to this 
town, lately detached for a term of three months by special 
order of the Captain General, agreeable to a resolve of His 
Excellency the Governor and Council of Safety of the 19th of 
June, founded on an earnest Requisition of His Excellency 
General Washington for eight hundred men, &c., have and 
receive out of the Town Treasury, by the 1st of January next, 
each the sum of twenty shillings in silver, or other cquivolent, 
for each month he shall be in actual service agreeable to such 
detachment." 

September 18, 1781. — " Captain Miles Beach was chosen 
Receiver of Clothing and Provisions on the 2s. Qs. tax payable 
in December next ; and Leman Stone was chosen Receiver of 
such part of said tax as shall be delivered to him." 

January 3, 1782.—" Voted, That the Town Treasurer be 
desired to procure the oi'der or orders drawn by the Commit- 
tee of Pay Table in favor of this town, for Bounties on raising 
recruits in the year 1781 , now in his hands and office, to be 
exchanged for small orders to the same amount ; and to de- 



126 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

liver out tliirty pounds thereof to each of the respective classes, 
taking proper receipts therefor." 

February 25, 1782.—" Voted, to raise ten men for State 
Service or the Regiment of Guards for Horseneck, as required 
by Act of Assembly, by dividing the town into classes on the 
List of 1781." 

Captain Abraham Bradley, Colonel Bezaleel Beebe and Cap- 
tain Lynde Lord, were appointed a Committee for that pur- 
pose. 

" Voted, That ten men be added to the above Committee, 
whose business it shall be to notify the respective classes to 
meet at the time and place by them appointed, to proceed in 
raising recruits as aforementioned, viz.. 

For the 1st class, Ensign Edward Phelps. 

" •' 2d " Ozias Lewis. 

" " 3d " Benjamin Peck, Jr. 

" " 4th " EUhu Harrison. 

" " 5th " Ephraim Smedley, Jr. 

" " 6th " Leaming Bradley. 

" " 7th " Ensign Jonathan Wright. 

" " 8th " Lieutenant David Stoddard. 

" " 9th " Captain Alexander Catlin. 

" " 10th " Lieutenant Timothy Skinner. 
" Voted, That eacli non-commissioned officer and soldier 
that is or shall be detached out of this town into actual ser- 
vice, the current year, shall receive twenty shillings per month 
for the time he shall thus continue in actual service on such 
draft, or procure a man to serve for him ; and that the Select- 
men draw orders on the Treasurer accordingly." 

March 25, 1782.—" Stephen Stone, Elijah Griswold and 
Benjamin Kilbourn, having lately been assessed on examina- 
tion by the Civil Authority and Selectmen, agreeable to law, 
for each a son g-one to the enemi/, and having requested a 
hearing in Town Meeting, and being heard accordingly, the 
question was pro[)Osed relative to said Stone in particular ; 
and the town by vote did not discharge said Assessment. 
Whereupon, it being late, and other business requiring atten- 
tion — adjourned till Thursday the 28th, at 10 o'clock P. M." 



TOWN VOTES. 127 

At an adjourned Meeting, the vote in the case of Stephen 
Stone was reconsidered, and he was released from his assess- 
ment. In the other cases mentioned, the assessment was con- 
firmed. 

April 2, 1782. — " Messrs. Timothy Skinner, Moses Sey- 
mour and Abraham Bradley, Avere appointed a Committee to 
make enquiry whether any of the Deserters from the Army 
belonging to this town, and not accounted as part of the quota 
of the town in the late returns of the army, have joined or are 
likely I o join the army in consequence of the General's Pro- 
clamation ; and whether this town is not overrated by a mis- 
take in the Report of the Committee for ascertaining deficien- 
ces," &c. 

" In Town Meeting, 16th October, 1783 — Captain Moses 
Seymour, Moderator — it was Voted, That the present Select- 
men adjust the claims of the non-commissioned officers and 
soldiers who lately served in the Eight Battalions of this State 
as part of the qiiota of this town and claim a grant of twenty 
shillings J )er month agreeable to a vote of this town passed 
April 15, 1777 ; and having by agreement with said claimants, 
or otherwise, ascertained the sum to them respectively due, to 
divide each man's sum into three equal parts, and give certi- 
ficates thereof in behalf of the town, payable at three different 
periods, viz., on the 1st days of January, 1784, 1785 and 1786 
— the last to be on interest ; which certificates shall be paid 
by the Treasurer according to the tenor of them, the one half 
of each in money, and the other half in provisions at the mar- 
ket price ; and that the Selectmen for the time being make 
three Town Rates for that purpose, viz., in the years 1783, 
1784 and 1785, to be collected by the Collectors of Town 
Rates for those years respectively, in December annually, and 
paid into the Town Treasury and kept distinct from all other 
Town Rates or Monies, Orders and Accounts, whatsoever." 

It will hardly be expected that I should here detail the par- 
ticular acts and services of our citizens during the important 
period covered by this and the preceding chapter. A more 
appropriate place for this, is in the Biographical Sketches 
which will be found in another part of this volume. In gen- 



128 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

eral terms, it may be remarked, that through the entire war 
Litchfield was represented in the persons of one or more of 
her sons, on the Committee of Safety, in the Council of State, 
and in the Continental Congress. At the regular session of 
the Legislature in May, 1780, the Representatives from this 
town were Andrew Adams and Jedediah Strong ; the former 
was chosen Speaker, and the latter Clerk, of the House. Ma- 
jor Moses Seymour commanded a Litchfield Company of Cav- 
alry at the capture of Burgoyne. Colonel Beebe was, during 
the latter part of the war, chief in command of the troops raised 
for the defense of our sea-coast. General Wolcott, General 
David Smith and Colonel Tallmadge, were active and energetic 
officers from the commencement to the close of hostilities. 
Colonel Sheldon, commander of the celebrated corps of Cav- 
alry known in history as " Sheldon's Regiment of Horse," had 
been for some twenty years a resident of Litchfield, and his 
troops were raised almost exclusively in this vicinity. Cap- 
tains Seymour, Stanton and Wadsworth, of this town, com- 
manded companies in this corps — Captain Stanton being 
at the same time Paymaster of the regiment. Colonel 
Tallmadge was one of Sheldon's most efficient Majors. This 
regiment was Washington's favorite corjDS, and continued to act 
under his immediate direction till the Treaty of Peace was 
signed — constituting at once his messengers, his body-guard, 
and his agents for the accomplishment of any enterprise, how- 
ever desperate. Captain Morris, also of this town, command- 
ed one of the companies of the " forlorn hope " at the Seige 
ofYorktown. Indeed, the citizens of Litclilield were found 
at the head of their battalions or in the ranks in nearly all the 
great battles of the Revolution, including those of German- 
town, Trenton, Princeton, Long Island, and Stoney Point. 

The following interesting incidents, (copied from Hollister's 
" History of Connecticut," vol. ii. pp. 390, 391,) will serve as 
an illustration of the character of the clergy of that period : 

" When the whole country was in a state of alarm at the 
intelligence that Lord Cornwallis, with a large fleet and ar- 
mament, was approaching the American coast, Colonel Tall- 
madge happened to pass through Litchfield with a regiment 



FATHER champion's REVOLUTIONARY PRAYER, 120 

of cavalry. While there, he attended public worship with 
his troops on Sunday, at tlie old meeting-house that stood up- 
on the village green. The occasion was deeply interesting 
and exciting. The Rev. Judah Champion, then the settled 
minister of the place — a man of great eloquence and of a high 
order of intellectual endowment — in view of the alarming crisis, 
thus invoked the sanction of Heaven : 

" Oh Lord I we view with terror the approach of the enemies of 
thy holy religion. Wilt thou send storm and tempest, to toss them 
upon the sea and to overwelm them upon the mighty deep, or to scatter 
them to the uttermost parts of the earth. But, peradventure, should 
any escape thy vengeance, collect them together again, O Lord ! as in 
the hollow of thy hand, and let thy lightnings play upon them ! We 
beseach thee, moreover, that thou do gird up the loins of these thy 
servants, who are going forth to fight thy battles. Make them strong 
men, that "one shall chase a thousand, and two shall put ten thousand 
to flight." Hold before them the shield, with which thou wast wont in 
the old time to protect thy chosen people. Give them swift feet that 
they may pursue their enemies, and swords terrible as that of thy De- 
stroying Angel, that they may cleave them down when they have 
overtaken them. Preserve these servants of thine. Almighty God ! 
and bring them once more to their homes and friends, if thou canst 
do it consistantly with thine high purposes. If, on the other hand, 
thou hast decreed that they shall die in battle, let thy Spirit be pres- 
ent with them and breathe upon them, that they may go up as a sweet 
sacrifice into the courts of thy temple, where are habitations prepared 
for them from the foundations of the world." 

In the course of the revolutionary struggle, Litchfield was 
visited by most of the j^rincipal officers of the army. In one 
of the letters from Colonel Adams to General Wolcott, dated 
at Litchfield, May 6, 1777, the writer says — " While I am 
writing, a Prussian General has arrived in town on his way 
to headquarters, said to have proper credentials." This is 
understood to have been Count Rochambeau, who came to 
this country early in the year 1777. General La Fayette 
passed at least one night in this village, while en route toward 
the Hudson with a train loaded with provisions and stores for 
the French Army. On this occasion he lodged in the south 
front room of the Judge Reeve House in South street. On 
the evening of Saturday, August 23d, 1780, General Wash- 
ington arrived here, on his way from Hartford to West Point, 
and was (according to Mr. Gibbs,) entertained at tlie hospit- 

17 



130 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

able mansion of General Wolcott, in South street. He spent 
the night in the village, and on the following morning pro- 
ceeded westward, arriving at West Point about 11 o'clock on 
Monday morning. It was at this time that he discovered the 
treason of Benedict Arnold, who commanded at that post. 
Washington's suite, among whom were. Hamilton and Meade, 
were with him on the occasion referred to.* 

Nearly a year later, Washington again passed through this 
town, as appears from the following extract from his Diary : 

" May 18, 1781. — Set out this day for an interview at Weth- 
ersfield, with the Count de Rochambeau and Admiral Barras. 
Reached Morgan's Tavern, forty-three miles from Fishkill 
Landing, after dining at Colonel Vanderberg's. 19th. — 
Breakfasted at Litchfield^ dined at Farmington, and lodged at 
AVethersfield, at the house of Mr. Joseph Webb." 

It is more than probable that the commander-in-chief was 
in Litchfield a third time. On tlie first visit above referred to, 
(if the dates given at the time, in the Hartford Courant, are 
correct,) he lodged here on a Saturday night, and took his de- 
parture for the Hudson on Sunday morning. Our venerable 
fellow-townsman. Captain Salmon Buel, well remembers to 
have seen AVashington on one of his visits to this town, at 
which time he is very sure he spent the nig-U at the Gould 
House, in North street, then occupied as a tavern by Mr. Sam- 
uel Sheldon. At all events, he went there in the morning'^ 
with about fifty of his school-fellows, for the purpose of seeing 
the renowned commander. A company of horse-guards were 
drawn up before the house, waiting for him ; but, as he was 
not ready to start, the guards rode down North street, and 
for a considerable distance out West street — returning in a 
short time to the Gould House. The General now came out, 
mounted his horse, and the cavalcade proceeded down South 
street — perhaps te enable him to pay his respects to the Wol- 
cotts. Captain Buel is certain this was not on a Sunday 
morning. 

*See Gibbs' Adm's. of Washington and Adams, vol. i. p. 17 ; .ilso, Hollister's Hist, 
of Conn , vol. ii. p. 387. 



Washington's visits to litchfield. 131 

The late Rev. Truman Marsh informed George C. Woodruff, 
Esq., that in one of his ^dsits to this town, Washington put up 
at the Kilbourn House, in North street, it then being an inn 
kept probably by Captain William Stanton. This house is 
still standing, between the Tallmadge Place and the residence 
of the late Dr. Samuel Buel. 

Several incidents connected with Washington's visits to 
Litchfield have been preserved. " A ludicrous story is told on 
this subject," writes Judge Boardman, of New Milford. "While 
Washington was riding through the west part of Litchfield, at 
the head of his retinue, a man named demons sallied out with 
a square bottle of rum in his hand, and addressed him some- 
what after this style — " Great and glorious Washington ! will 
you condescend to take a dram with such a poor dog as I am ?" 
The General, with his habitual dignified courtesy, took the 
bottle and put it to his lips, to the immense gratification of his 
enraptured admirer, who always believed he had drank with 
General Washington." 

The following anecdote has been before published : A staid 
farmer residing in the upper part of Beach street — well known 
by the sobriquet of " Uncle App" — set out fdr the East Mill 
on horseback, with a load of grain. He was a true patriot, 
and loved the very name of Washington. On reaching the 
County House corner, he was informed that Washington had 
just left the village, and the procession was pointed out to him 
in the distance. In an instant, Uncle App's horse was seen 
dashing at full speed to the westward, the bags bounding at 
every jump, and the long skirts of the rider's overcoat stream- 
ing in the wind. Gaining the head of the procession, he con- 
fronted the leader face to face. " Are you General Washing- 
ton ?" he eagerly asked. " I am, sir," was the reply. " God 
Almighty bless your Excellency .'" was the emphatic response 
of the farmer, as he wheeled his horse — and the next moment 
he was quietly jogging toward the Mill. 

I recently submitted this incident, as liere given, to Captahi 
Buel, who knew Uncle App intimately. He assures me that 
the story is correct except in one important particular, viz., 
that the officer with whom he had the interview was not Gen- 



132 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

eral Washington, but one of his attendants — perhaps the Cap- 
tain of the Guard ; and that in fact he did not see Washington 
at all ! If Captain B. is correct in this, (and he is not likely 
to be mistaken,) the event doubtless took place at the time 
referred to on page 130, when the Guard paraded through 
West street before Washington was ready to join them. 

It is stated in the Appendix to the Rev. Isaac Jones' Cen- 
tennial Discourse, preached in this town in 1845, that once 
when Washington passed through Litchfield, his soldiers, to 
evince their attachment to him, threw a shower of stones at 
the windows of the Episcopal church, which then stood about a 
west of the Court House. He promptly reproved them, say- 
ing — " I am a Churchman, and wish not to see the church 
dishonored and desecrated in this manner." 

It is a well known fact that during the war which had now 
closed so auspiciously, the American Army received frequent 
and valuable accessions by desertions from the British ranks. 
Two English soldiers, named Robert Morris and Richard Mor- 
ris, at one time applied for admission into the corps command- 
ed by Captain Beebe of this town. They were accordingly 
enrolled as members of his company, and proved to be most 
excellent soldiers. It so happened that on one occasion they 
were about to engage in battle with the very regiment from 
which they had deserted. As a guard was to be left behind 
to protect the baggage, Captain Beebe, well knowing what 
their fate would be should they be taken prisoners, proposed 
that they should remain for that purpose. They begged to 
be excused from such an inglorious service — preferring to 
Jight^ and declaring that they did not intend to be taken. They 
did fight, and the English captain under Avhom they had for- 
merly served, was among the prisoners who fell into the hands 
of the Americans. On the return of peace, Richard Morris 
settled in this town, and here for many years pursued his trade 
as a weaver. Being a bachelor, he built himself a little house, 
and lived entirely alone. In his latter years he became in- 
temperate. He was found dead in his bed, August 24, 1806.' 
The verdict of the Jury of Inquest was — " His death was oc- 
casioned by drinking too large a draft of spirituous liquor, 



JOHN I. GATTA, THE HESSIAN. Ic3 

taken intentionally from his own hand." The fatal bottle, 
containing about half a gill of brandy, lay on his breast, round 
the neck of which one hand was clasped, the other being placed 
on the bottom. John I. Gatta, a Hessian soldier, also became 
a permanent resident of Litchfield. He was a native of Hesse 
Castle, in Germany, and the only son of a wealthy baker, to 
which business he was also bred. With many others, he was 
pressed into the military service by order of the reigning 
Prince, who had stipulated to furnish soldiers to King George 
of England, at so much per head, to be employed against the 
colonies. Gatta was soon put to the work of baking for the 
troops. He seems to have resolved from the first never to 
fight against America ; but an incident occurred before his 
arrival on our coast, which doubtless confirmed this resolution 
and hastened his desertion. He was a young man of spirit, 
and quite unaccustomed to the discipline which prevailed in 
the army. On being insulted by a subaltern officer, he sud- 
denly raised a glass bottle which he held in his hand, filled 
with vinegar, and broke it over the head of the offender. For 
this breach of order, he was sentenced to receive five hundred 
lashes — which sentence was subseqaently executed, though he 
was accustomed to say the flogging " didn't hurt much." 
On a certain night, while the ship in which he was brought 
over was lying at anchor near New York, Gatta quietly low- 
ered a small boat into the water, paddled himself ashore, en- 
listed into a New York regiment, and served his adopted 
country faithfully during the remainder of the war. As al- 
ready stated, he settled in this town ; and here, in 1791, he 
married Sarah, daughter of Mr. Oliver Collins and grand- 
daughter of the Rev. Timothy Collins. His descendants are 
now among our most respected people. Mr. Gatta was a mark- 
ed character, and somewhat eccentric. He had been so long 
in the service as to acquire habits of military precision and 
promptness, and a soldier's proverbial indifference to death. 
Said he — " When the Lord calls John I. Gatta, I shall answer, 
' Here ." " Alas ! — he heard the roll-call long ago, which 
summoned him from a world of vicissitude and trial to the 
land unseen. He died in this town in 1837, aged 81 years. 



134 HISTOEY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Towards the close of life, lie thought and talked much of his 
native laud and of the friends of his youth ; and sometimes 
told, with much emotion, how, after his impressment, his 
mother, having pleaded in vain for his release, followed the 
press-gang for a distance of twenty miles, that she might have 
the mournful satisfaction of bidding her son farewell !j 

John Glass, William Barrell, Henry Poulson, James Glass 
and Adam Tilford, all British soldiers in the revolution, be- 
came residents of tliis town, and some of them died here, leav- 
ing families. 




'^. 



^^^^ du/rh^^nvf 



i 



CHAPTER VIII. 

MEN OF THE REVOLUTION. 

The historic names of the Revolutionary Period most inti- 
mately associated with Litchfield, are those of Ethan Allen, 
Oliver Wolcott, Elisha Sheldon, Andrew Adams, Bezaleel 
Beebe, Moses Seymour, Jedediah Strong and Tapping Reeve. 
This chapter will be mainly devoted to brief biographical 
sketches of these eminent and useful men. 

General ETHAN ALLEN, the Hero of Ticonderoga, was 
born in Litchfield, January 10, 1737-'8. He was the eldest 
child of his parents — Joseph and Mary (Baker) Allen — who, 
when Ethan was about two years old, removed to the adjoin- 
ing town of Cornwall. The subject of this sketch spent his 
youth and early manhood in Cornwall and Salisbury ; and 
about the year 1765, emigrated to the "New Hampshire 
Grants," as they were then called — a wild, mountainous region 
lying between Lake Charaplain on the west and the Connecti- 
cut river on the east, and extending from the Massachusetts 
line northward to the Canadas. This territory was claimed 
alike by the governments of New Hampshire and New York 
— a fact which led to a fierce and long continued struggle be- 
tween the settlers and Governor Tryon of the latter Province. 
The hardy and resolute pioneers banded themselves together 
under the name of t]ie " Green Mountain Boys," chose Allen 
as their commander, and waged a war of extermination 
against all intruders from New York. This contest continued 
until the attention of both parties was diverted by the more 
important events which immediately preceded the Revolution. 
By this time, Allen was famous throughout the North. When, 



133 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

wife of Allen was a pious woman, and had instructed her 
daughter in tlie principles of Christianity. As soon as her 
father appeared at her bed-side, she said to him— ^' I am about 
to die ; shall I believe in the principles you have taught me, 
or shall I believe in what my mother has taught me ?' He 
became extremely agitated ; his chin quivered ; his whole frame 
shook — and after waiting a few moments, he replied — ' Be- 
lieve iv/tat your mother has taught you.'' " 

While Allen was on parole in New York, a British officer of 
honorable rank sent for him to call at his lodgings. On his 
arrival, the officer told him that his fidelity, though in a 
wrong cause, had won the good opinion of Lord Howe, who 
was disposed to show him favor. He, at the same time, held 
out to him brilliant prospects of promotion and money, and 
large tracts of land either in Connecticut or Vermont at the 
close of the war. Allen replied, that if by faithfulness he had 
recommended himself to General Howe, he should be loth by 
unfaithfulness to forfeit the General's good opinion ; and as 
to the lands, he regarded the offer not unlike that made by 
Satan to Clmst, who promised him "all he kingdoms of the 
world," when in fact " the old devil didn't own an acre !" The 
officer thereupon sent him away as incorrigable. 

Jared Sparks, LL. D., (late President of Harvard College,) 
in his Biography of the subject of this sketch, says — " There 
is much to admire in the character of Ethan Allen. He was 
brave, generous and frank — true to his country, consistent and 
unyielding in his purposes, seeking at all times to promote the 
best good of mankind — a lover of social harmony, and a deter- 
mined foe to the artifices of injustice and the encroachments 
of power. Few have suffered more in the cause of freedom, few 
have borne their sufferings with a firmer constancy or a loftier 
spirit. His courage, even when approaching to rashness, was 
■ calm and deliberate. No man probably ever possessed this 
attribute in a more remarkable degree. He was eccentric 
and ambitious, but these weaknesses, if such they were, never 
betrayed him into acts dishonorable, unworthy or selfish. So 
rigid was he in his patriotism, that, when it was discovered 
that one of his brothers had avowed tory principles and had 



ETHAN ALLEN. 130 

been guilty of a correspondence with the enemy, he entered 
a public complaint against him in his own name, and peti- 
tioned the Court to confiscate his property in obedience to the 
law. His enemies never had cause to question his magnanim- 
ity, or his friends to regret confidence misplaced or expecta- 
tions disappointed. He was kind, benevolent, humane and 
placable. In short, whatever may have been his peciiliarities, 
and however these may have diminished the weight of his in- 
fluence and the value of his public services, it must be allowed 
that he was a man of very considerable importance in the 
sphere of his activity, and that to no individual among her 
patriot founders is the State of Vermont more indebted for 
the basis of her free institutions and the achievement of her 
independence, than to Ethan Allen." 

This is certainly a high compliment, coming from the source 
it does. The theological writings of Allen, however, were not 
calculated to render him popular with the good people of New 
England. Preachers, poets and critics joined in a furious cru- 
sade against him, to all of which he affected the utmost con- 
tempt. Soon after the publication of his " Oracles," alluding 
to the anticipated attacks of the clergy, (in a letter to a friend,) 
he says — " I defy the whole artillery of hell-fire." The follow- 
ing piece of satire from the pen of Dr. Lemuel Hopkins, (him- 
self for some years a resident of Litchfield,) is preserved iu 
Dr. Elihu Hubbard Smith's " Collection of American Poetry," 
which was printed at Litchfield, by Collier & Adam, in 1792 : 

" Lo, Allen, 'scaped from British jails. 
His tushes broke by biting nails, 
Appears in hyperborean skies, 
To tell the world the Bible lies. 
See him on Green Hills north afor, 
Glow like a self-enkindlcd star, 
Prepared (with mob-collecting club, 
Black from the forge of Beelzebub, 
And grim with metaphysic scowl. 
With quill just plucked from wing of owl,) 
As rage or reason rise or sink, 
To shed his blood, or shed his ink. 
Behold, inspired from Vermont dens. 
The seer of anti-Christ descends, 
To feed new mobs with liell-born manna 
In Gentile lands of Susquehanna ; 
And teach tiie Pennsylvania quaker 
High blasphemies against his Maker. 
Behold him move, ye staunch divines ! 



140 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

His tall head bustling through the pines ; 

All front he seems, like wall of brass. 

And brays tremendous as an ass. 

One hand is clenched to batter ncses, 

While t'other scrawls 'gainst Paul and Moses !" 

On the 23d of June, 1762, Allen married Mary Bronson 
of Woodbury, who died in 1784. Their children were — Jo- 
seph, Loraina, Lucy, Mary Ann, and Pamela. Loraina died 
young, and was the subject of the anecdote just given. 

General Allen died of apoplexy, on his estate at Colchester, 
Vermont, February 12, 1789, aged 51 years. A splendid 
monument, forty feet in height, (to be surmounted by a colossal 
statue of the hero,) has recently been erected to his memory 
at Burlington, by the Legislature of Vermont. 

The Honorable ELISHA SHELDON, a native of Lyme, 
and a graduate of Yale College in the class of 1730, became a 
resident of this village in 1753, and here spent the remainder 
of his life. He was an Associate Judge of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas for Litchfield County from 1754 to 1761 ; at which 
latter date he was elected a member of the Council, or Upper 
House, in which distinguished body he sat until his decease — 
a period of eighteen years. He was also chosen a Representa- 
tive by the freemen of this town at ten semi-annual elections. 
Mr. Sheldon was equally conspicuous in the civil and ecclesi- 
astical affairs of the town, and was often called upon to pre- 
side at our town meetings. He also, for a period of eighteen 
years, held the office of County Treasurer. An active patriot 
in the revolution, he was not unfrequently appointed by the 
Legislature, and by his fellow-citizens, on important commit- 
tees, having for their object the advancement of the common 
cause. He died in the midst of the great contest. His re- 
mains rest in the West Burying-Ground, beneath a marble 
tablet, on which is inscribed the following epitaph : " This 
Monument is erected to the Memory of the Hon. Elisha Shel- 
don, Esq., who departed this life September the first. Anno 
Domini 1779, in the 79th year of his age. A Gentleman of 
extensive genius and Liberal Education, called in early life to 
various public employments, both Civil and Military, all which 
he executed with punctuality and fidelity ; much respected 
for his Generosity and Benevolence, and greatly lamented by 



OLIVER WOLCOTT. 141 

his extensive Acquaintance. In early life he made a profes- 
sion of the Christian Religion, and till his Death adorned it 
by a very Exemplary Conversation. ' Blessed are the Dead 
who die in the Lord.' " 

The wife of Mr. Sheldon was Elizabeth Ely, by whom he 
had five children, viz., Lois, (m. Lynde Lord, Esq., Sheriff,) 
Mary, Thomas, Samuel, and Col. Elisha, (commander of the 
2d Regiment of Light Dragoons in the Continental Army.) 

The Honorable OLIVER WOLCOTT, LL. D., (son of 
His Excellency, the Hon. Roger Wolcott, Governor and Chief 
J,ustice of Connecticut,) was born in Windsor, December 20, 
1726, and was graduated at Yale College in 1745. In early 
manhood, he commanded a company of volunteers in the 
Northern Army, in the war against the French. Having pur- 
sued the usual course of medical studies, he established him- 
self as a physician in Goshen, and was residing there at the 
date of the organization of the County of Litchfield, October, 
1751. The Legislature appointed him the first High Sheriff 
of the new County, and he immediately took up his abode in 
this village, and continued to reside here until his decease, a 
period of forty-six years. He was thus but twenty-five years 
of age when he became a resident of Litchfield, and hence his 
fame, subsequently achieved, as really belongs to us as if he 
had been born in the town. In 1752, he erected the "Wolcott 
House" in Soiitli street, which is still one of the most desirable 
residences in the place, though more than a century has rolled 
by since its foundations were laid. With a commanding per- 
sonal appearance, dignified manners, a clear and cultivated 
intellect, and a character for integrity far above the reach of 
suspicion, it is not to be wondered at that he became a favorite 
of the people with whom his lot was cast. Besides holding the 
office of Sheriff for over twenty years, he was chosen a Repre- 
sentative to the Legislature five times between the years 1764 
and 1770, inclusive ; a member of the Council or Upper House 
from 1771 to 1786 ; Judge of the Court of Probate for the 
District of Litchfield from 1772 to 1795 ; Judge of the Court 
of Common Pleas from 1773 to 1786 ; and member of the 
Continental Congress from 1775 to 1784, (except two years.) 



142 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

He was one of that memorable band of patriots and sages who, 
on the 4th of July, 1776, affixed their names to the Declaration 
of Independence. In the early part of the war of the Revolu- 
tion, Judge Wolcott was commissioned as a Brigadier General, 
and Congress appointed him a Commissioner on Indian Affairs 
for the Northern Department, with General Schuyler and oth- 
ers. In May, 1779, he was elected by the Legislature and com- 
missioned by Governor Trumbnll, as Major General of the 
Militia of Connecticut, to succeed General James Wadsworth, 
resigned. In these important and responsible stations, he 
rendered the country essential service. On the field, in the 
camp, at the rendezvous, in the apartments of the Commissary 
of Supplies — in fact, wherever he could render himself useful 
— he was found, ever prompt in planning and efficient in exe- 
cuting. At the same time he was an active member of tlie 
Committee of Safety ; and, when at home, was equally zealous 
and conspicuous in the local affairs of the town — officiating as 
Moderator, Selectman, Committee-man, &c. Indeed, no man 
in the State, at this period, discharged so many and varied 
public duties. A considerable share of the reputation which 
Connecticut acquired for promptness in furnishing men and 
means for the army, is due to General Wolcott. Certainly, 
to no other individual in the western counties could Governor 
Trumbull or General Washington appeal for aid, with the cer- 
tainty of success, as to him. 

In 1786, he was elected to the office of Lieutenant-Governor 
of the State, and was annually re-elected for a period of *ten 
years. In May, 1796, he was chosen Governor — the highest 
executive office in the gift of the people of his native State. 
To this distinguished position he was again elevated at the an- 
nual election in 1797. He was now seventy years of age. His 
naturally robust constitution began to feel the weight of care 
and responsibility which had been so long pressing upon it. 
He departed this life at his residence in Litchfield, December 
1, 1797, aged 71 years, A sermon was preached at his funeral 
by the Rev. Azel Backus, D. D., which was published. Gov- 
ernor Wolcott had long been a professed disciple of Christ, and 
his faith in the efficacy of the great Atonement sustained him 



OLIVER WOLCOTT. 143 

in the decisive liour. " With all the splendor of his station 
and his well-earned fame," says Dr. Backus, " he was not 
ashamed to pray in the expressive language of the Publican, 
' God be merciful to me a sinner,' and to make the most feel- 
ing declarations of his own personal unworthiness. For several 
days before his death, the shattered remains of a once noble 
mind and vigorous body were devoted continually to God. 
His very breath appeared to be prayer, until, after many 
painful struggles, he fell asleep. Death ! in what a mortify- 
ing light doth thy power put the little glory of this diminutive 
world ! To what insignificance do earthly honors dwindle, 
before the grandeur of eternity ! Nevertheless, the death of 
such a character is a grievous loss, especially under the present 
threatening aspects of Divine Providence, and the perilous sit- 
uation of the country. Such tried characters are the " salt of 
the earth," and the pillars of our national existence. The 
presence, firmness, counsels, prayers and example of such 
Fathers, should be esteemed the " chariots of Israel and the 
horsemen thereof." But God governs the world, and his will 
is done. Let it be the solemn care of each one of us, to make 
a profitable improvement of the frown of Heaven in this remo- 
val." . 

Joel Barlow, in his great national poem, The Columbiad, 
thus refers to his zeal and efforts in the cause of Independence : 

" Bold WoLCOTT urged the all-important cause, 
With steady hand the solemn scene he draws ; 
*■ Undaunted firmness with his wisdom joined, 

Nor kings nor worlds could warp his steadfast mind." 

No resident of the town ever achieved a more honorable and 
wide spread fame, than Oliver .Wolcott — and no name in the 
historic annals of the Town and State in which his life was 
passed, is more earnestly and affectionately cherished, than 
his. His family have been and are distinguished — some for 
high political stations, others for enterprize and wealth, some 
as professional or literary men — and all, for their liberality, 
sterling moral qualities, and exalted social position. His 
mortal remains rest in our East Burying-Ground, surrounded 
by those of many of his descendants and kindred. 



144 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Governor Wolcott married Lorana Collins, of Guilford, in 
1755 ; she died, April 19, 1794. Their children were, Oliver, 
(who died in infancy, and was interred in the West Burying- 
Ground ;) Oliver, 2d, (see Biographical Notes ;) Lorana, m. 
Hon. William Moseley, M, C, of Hartford ; Mary Ann, m. 
Lieut. Gov. Goodrich, of Hartford; Frederick, (see Biograph- 
ical Notes.) Ursula Wolcott, (a sister of Gov. W. next older 
than himself,) married Governor Matthew Griswold, and was 
the mother of Governor Roger Griswold. Thus, her father, 
brother, husband, son, and nephew, were all Governors of 
Connecticut ! — a fact which cannot, probably, be said of any 
other lady who ever lived in the State or United States. 

The Honorable ANDREW ADAMS, LL. D., (a native of 
Stratford, and a graduate of Yale College in the class of 1760,) 
commenced the practice of law in Litchfield in 1774, and 
continued to reside here until his death, which took place in 
November, 1797. He rose rapidly in public esteem, and was 
chosen a Representative in October, 1776 — a post to which he 
was nine times re-elected. A friend of the Revolution, he took 
a prominent part in its favor in our town meetings, and by his 
influence and efforts did much to promote the cause of the 
patriots in this vicinity. He rose to the rank of Colonel, and 
was for a short time in actual service in the war. In 1779, 
and again in 1780, he was Speaker of the House of Rep- 
resentatives — the other member from Litchfield, (the Hon. 
Jedediah Strong,) being at the same time Clerk of the House. 
Colonel Adams was a member of the Council of Safety two 
years, a member of the State Council nine years, a member of 
the Continental Congress three years, a Commissioner of the 
Northern Congresses at Hartford and Providence in 1780 ; 
an Associate Judge of the Superior Court four years, and 
Chief Justice from 1793 until his decease. He was also for a 
few years a Deacon of the First Church in this town. 

The body of the subject of this sketch rests beneath a marble 
tablet in our West Burying-Ground. His epitaph is as fol- 
lows : "In Memory of the Hon. Andrew Adams, Esq., Chief 
Judge of the Superior Court, who died November 27, 1797, 
in the 63d year of his age. Having filled many distinguished 



COLONEL BEEBE. 145 

offices with great Ability and Dignity, he was promoted to the 
highest Judicial Office in the State, which he held for several 
years, in which his eminent Talents shone with uncommon 
Lustre, and were exerted to the great Advantage of the Public 
and the honor of the High Court in which he presided. He 
made an early Profession of Religion, and zealously sought to 
promote its true Interests. He lived the Life and died the 
Death of a Christian. His filial Piety and paternal tenderness 
are held in sweet Remembrance." 

Mrs. Eunice Adams, his wife, died June 4, 1797, aged 53 
years. 

The " Litchfield Monitor" mentions it as a sad and singular 
coincidence, that Governor Wolcott and Chief Justice Adams 
(the two highest official dignitaries of the State,) both resi- 
ding in the same village and on the same street, should be ly- 
ing apparently at the point of death at the same time. Gov- 
ernor Wolcott survived his distinguished neighbor about three 
days only. 

The children of Judge Adams were — 1. ANDREW,Jr., who m. 
Annis Canfield, of Sharon, and had two daughters, Cornelia, 
(wife of Dr. Tomlinson and mother of the Hon. Theodore E. 
Tomlinson, of New York city;) and Maria C, (wifeof ti:e 
late Hon. Henry F. Tallmadge. Andrew Adams, Jr., died in 
Litchfield in the year 180S. 2. Samuel, died also in L., un- 
married. 3. Elijah, (see Biographical Notes.) 4. Eunice, 
m. Mr. Masters. 5. Polly, m. (perhaps) Nathaniel Lamson. 
6. Lydia, m. Elias Cowles, merchant, of Litchfield, afterward 
of New York ; the Hon. Edward E. Cowles, late Judge of the 
Marine Court in that cit^^, is their son. 

Colonel BEZALEEL BEEBE was born in Litchfield, April 
28, 1741, and spent his life in his native town, except when 
absent in the service of his country. At the age of seventeen 
he enlisted as a soldier in the French War, and marched with 
Captain Evarts' company to Fort George, where he was for 
some time stationed. He was afterward a member of Major 

* I have Si id that Judge Adams commenced the practice of law in Litchfield in 
1774. The indications are, that he became a resident here some eight or ten years 
earlier than that date. An Andrew Adams of thia town was a Commissioner on two 
estates at early as 1766 ; and was chosen a Lister in 1772 and 1773. 

19 



146 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Rogers' celebrated corps of Rangers, an account of whose ex- 
ploits was published in London by their heroic commander ; 
and, with Rogers, he participated in the engagement which 
resulted in the capture of Major Israel Putnam. During much 
of the succeeding year, he was stationed at Fort Miller under 
Captain Whiting. In 1760, he enlisted in a company com- 
manded by Captain McNeile, of Litchfield, and continued in 
the service for three years — having in the mean time been 
chosen one of the Sergeants of the company. On the 11th of 
July, 1764, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Captain 
John Marsh, of this town, and settled on the paternal home- 
stead, north of Bantam Lake, which is still owned and occupied 
by his descendants. On the breaking out of the revolutionary 
contest, he was once more summoned to the field — having been 
commissioned as a Lieutenant in the first recruits raised for 
that service, April, 1775. He forthwith marched with his 
company to Boston, and thence, after a short detention, to 
Crown Point, where he was transferred to the Quartermaster's 
Department. From this time onward, he was in actual ser 
vice (except while detained as a prisoner of war,) until the 
spring of 1781, at which time he applied for and received an 
honorable discharge, and once more returned home. As his 
distinguished public services have been frequently referred to 
in the preceding pages, it will not be expected that I should 
repeat them here. Suffice it to say, that he rose to the rank 
of Colonel in the Continental Army, and enjoyed in an eminent 
degree the confidence and respect of his superiors in office as 
well as of the soldiers under him. While chief commander 
of the coast guard of this State, he i)crformed the duties and 
received the pay of a Brigadier General. A commanding figure, 
and a peculiar dignity of character and manner, united to an 
innate kindness of heart and a courage equal to any emergency, 
contributed to render him an efficient and popular officer. 

He was chosen a member of the House of Representatives 
for the first time in the autumn of 1781, as a colleague of the 
Hon. Jedediah Strong, and was re-elected during the two suc- 
ceeding years. In 1788, the Constitution of the United States 
was ratified, and the general government re-organized. In 



JEDEDIAH STRONG. 147 

1792, '93 and '95, Colonel Becljc was returned to the Legisla- 
ture. He also served his fellow-citizens as a Selectman both 
before and after the war ; and through life, was much em- 
ployed by the Court of Probate in settling estates of persons 
deceased. He departed this life. May 21, 1824, aged 8o — his 
widow surviving Jiim about a year. Several of his revolution- 
ary letters, to Governor Trumbull, General Silliman, etc., are 
preserved among the " Trumbull Papers" in the Library of 
the Mass. Hist. Soc, Boston. 

Colonel Beebe had six children, viz., 1. Sarah, d. unm'd. 
2. Elizabeth, m. Joshua Garrett, of Litchfield. 3. Rebecca, 
m. Reuben Rockwell, Esq., of Colebrook, and had children, 
among whom are, the Hon. Julius Rockwell, late U. S. Sena- 
tor from Massachusetts, the Hon. Reuben Rockwell, etc. 
4. Ebenezer, Major United States Army. 5. James, settled 
in Winchester, Conn., where he was three times elected a Rep- 
resentatives, besides being twice chosen Senator for the 15th 
District. In 1837, he Avas a member of the Corporation of 
Yale College. He now resides in Hartford, Trumbull co., 
Ohio. 6. William, settled on the homestead in Litchfield 
where he still resides ; besides being seven times a Represen- 
tative, he was a Senator in 1845 ; he has also been President 
of the Litchfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company, President 
of the Litchfield County Foreign Mission Society, &c. 

The Honorable JEDEDIAH STRONG was born in Litch- 
field, November 7th, 1738, and here spent his entire life. He 
graduated at Yale College in 1761, and, with a single excep- 
tion, he was the first native of the town who ever received a 
collegiate degree. He first studied divinity, but, being early 
elected to office, he abandoned the sacred profession for the 
more congenial pursuits of pettifogger and politician. With 
in fact little to recommend him to the good opinion of his fel- 
low-townsmen, he acquired and long maintained a political 
ascendency second only to that of Wolcott and Adams. An 
imperious will and an affectation of power, and a happy facul- 
ty of being at the same time " all things to all men," no doubt 
contributed to the result. A diminutive figure, a limping gait, 
and an unpleasant countenance, were, however, in some 



148 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

measure atoned for by a certain degree of promptness and tact 
in the discharge of public business. He was a good penman, 
familar with legal forms, and, though, his style was verbose 
and complicated, he was much employed, both at home and 
abroad, in drafting, compiling and recording the official 
transactions of public bodies. He was a Representative at 
about thirty regular sessions of the Legislature — at fourteen 
of which he was Clerk of the House. In May, 1773, he was 
appointed (with Roger Sherman, Eliphalet Dyer, Matthew 
Griswold and William Samuel Johnson,) a commissioner to 
wait on Governor Penn at Philadelphia, to negotiate relative 
to the lands west of the Delaware. In May, 1779, he was ap- 
pointed a Delegate to the Continental Congress, in place of the 
Hon. Stephen Titus Hosraer, resigned ; and was re-appointed 
in the October following. He was also an Associate Judge of 
the County Court for eleven years, a member of the Council 
of Safety, a member of the State Council, and a Delegate to 
and Secretary of the Convention which ratified the Constitu- 
tion of the United States. He was a Lister six years, a Select- 
man thirteen years, and Town Clerk sixteen years. The first 
wife of Judge Strong was Ruth Patterson, who died leaving 
an only daughter, Ida Strong. In 1788, he married Susan- 
nah, daughter of the Hon. George Wyllys, Secretary of State, 
Hartford. Tlie sequel is told in the following extract from 
The Monitor, bearing date July 26, 1790 : 

" Last Saturday se'nnight, the Hon. Jedediah Strong, Esq., 
a member of the Council of State, and one of the Judges of 
the County Court in Litchfield, was arrested upon complaint 
of liis wife, and brought before Tapping Reeve, Esq., for trial. 
The delinquent requested an adjournment that he might pro- 
cure counsel, and the Court adjourned to Mondaj^ last. At the 
time of trial, the concourse of people made it necessary to ad- 
journ to the Court House, where, after full enquiry, it appeared 
in evidence that the accused had often imposed unreasonable 
restraints upon his wife, and withheld from her the comforts 
and conveniences of life ; that he had beat her, pulled her hair, 
kicked her out of bed, and spit in her face times Avithout num- 
ber. Whereupon the Judge, after summing up the testimony 
in a very eloquent and masterly manner, pronounced sentence 
that the delinquent should become bound with sureties for his 



JEDEDIAH STRONG. 149 

good behavior toward all mankind, and especially toward his 
wife, in the penal sum of One Thousand Pounds, and to ap- 
pear and answer the charges against him at the next County 
Court. Nothing could be more satisfactory than this sentence, 
among his acquaintances in Litchfield and elsewhere, who 
have long known the infamy of his private character, while 
his hypocrisy and intrigues have imposed upon the good peo- 
ple of the State at large." 

Several subsequent articles appeared in the Monitor, both 
for and against Judge Strong. The trial for divorce came on 
in New Haven, before the Council of State, of which the Judge 
was himself a member, and resulted in granting the prayer of 
the petitioner. From this time his career was downtvard. He 
became a drunkard and a beggar, and the town assisted in his 
support. But notwithstanding his degradation, he seems to 
have retained to the very last an earnest affection for his 
daughter. He left ^ long Will in her favor, which may be 
found on our Probate Records. It is written in his peculiar 
style, and is a curiosity — bearing date, March 31, 1801. It 
is mainly occupied with pious reflections and covmsels addressed 
to his daughter. " And finally," he adds, " that worldly 
wealth or earthly estate which it hath pleased the Universal 
Proprietor to commit to my temporary care and stewardship 
on the sublunary, probationary theater, (or the remnant frag- 
ments after so much spoliation of Envy, Covetousness, Op- 
pression, or whatever mistake in extreme career of permitted 
human vicissitude,) my most mature and deliberate option 
and volition is, that disposition be made as follows : I recom- 
mend, give and bequeath, to my beloved daughter, Ida Strong, 
my Bibles and inferior Orthodox Treatises on Religion and 
Morality, or relative or appertaining to Vital Piety or Practi- 
cal Godliness, and all other Books, Pamphlets or Manuscripts, 
except Romances, if any be left extant, which I have long since, 
(though not soon enough,) intentionally consigned or destined 
to deserved oblivion in native shades of chaos." The amount 
of his " worldly wealth," as per inventory, was $96 66; while 
as an offset to this, claims against him to the amount of a few 
hundred dollars, were sent in. His executors were Captain 
Tiiomas Collier (editor of the Monitor,) and Ida Strong. — 



150 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Judge Strong died August 21, 1802, aged 64, and was interred 
in our West Burying-Ground. No stone marks his grave, 
and the precise place of his sepulture is unknown. His daugh- 
ter Ida died in Rupert, Vermont, in 1804. 

Colonel BENJAMIN TALLMADGE was born at Brook- 
haven, L. I., February 25, 1754. His father, who bore the 
same name, was the pastor of the church in that place ; and 
liis mother was a daughter of the Rev. John Smith, pastor of 
the churcli at White Plains. The subject of this sketch grad- 
uated at Yale College in 1773. While superintendent of the 
High School at Wethersfield, in this State, he received a 
Lieutenant's commission, with the appointment of Adjutant of 
the Regiment — both commission and warrant bearing date 
June 20, 1776. In these capacities he joined the army, and 
continued in actual service until the close of the war. On the 
15th of December, of the year last namedj he received a Ca.\y- 
tain's commission in (Sheldon's) 2d Regiment of Light Dra- 
goons. As this commission came from General Washington 
himself, the honor was conspicuous and highly appreciated. 
He was promoted to the rank of Major, April 7, 1777, and 
took his station as a field officer of the regiment. A separate 
detachment for special services was committed to him several 
times in the course of the war, on which occasions he received 
his orders directly from the commander-in-chief. On the 
opening of the spring campaign, 1777, General Washington, 
foreseeing that General Howe meditated some decisive blow, 
directed that all recruits should be sent forward to head- 
quarters as fast as they were collected. He also sent a par- 
ticular order to Colonel Sheldon (who was at his winter 
quarters in Wethersfield,) to send on all the effective men of 
his regiment. Having about men and horses enough for four 
• ijompanies, they were placed in the best possible order, and the 
command given to Major Tallmadge. His own company were 
all mounted on dapple gray horses, which, with black stra[»s 
and black bear-skin holster covers, looked superbly. On his 
route to Washington's encampment at Middlebrook, New Jer- 
sey, he passed with his troops through Farmington, Litchfield,* 

* Maj' not this have been the time when Father Champion gave utterance to the 
remarkable prayer inserted on page 1 29 ? 



COLONEL TALLMADGE. 151 

Kent, Peekskill, (wliero he crossed the Hudson,) Haverstraw, 
Pompton, and Morristown — reaching the headquarters of the 
commander-in-chief on the 23d of June. Major TaUmadge 
participated in the Battles of Short Hills and the Brandywine, 
though, before the latter engagement, the remainder of the 
regiment, commanded by Colonel Sheldon in person, had ar- 
rived. In the Battle of Germantown, the position of Major 
Tallmadge's squadron was at the head of General Sullivan's 
division, on the left of the center. In the early part of this 
sanguinary engagement, the Americans seemed almost certain 
of success ; but the heavy fog which soon enveloped both ar- 
mies, prevented them, in some cases, from distinguishing their 
friends from their enemies. They were thus thrown into 
confusion — a panic ensued — and our meu fled in every direc- 
tion. By order of General Washington, Major TaUmadge 
2'epeatedly threw his dragoons across the principal thorough- 
fare, to check the retreat of the infantry ; but the effort was 
ineffectual. 

While our army were encamped at Valley Forge in the 
gloomy winter of 1777-'8, the Major was stationed with a de- 
tachment of dragoons, as an advanced corps of observation 
between our army and that of the enemy. In the perform- 
ance of his duty, he scoured the country between the Schuyl- 
kill and Delaware rivers — a distance of five or six miles — for 
the double purpose of watching the movements of the enemy, 
and preventing the disaffected from carrying provisions to the 
enemy at Philadelphia. While on this service, he was attacked, 
about two o'clock one morning, by a large body of British 
light horse commanded by Lord Rawdon, and after defending 
himself resolutely for awhile, effected his escape with the loss 
of but three or four men killed and as many more wounded. 
While temporarily halting, soon after, at the " Rising Sun". 
Inn, within sight of the British out-posts at Philadelphia, a 
country girl arrived from the city, whither she had been sent 
with eggs, with instructions to obtain some information res- 
pecting the enemy. While she was communicating with the 
Major on the subject, the British light horse were seen advan- 
ing. In an instant he mounted his horse, when he found tlie 



152 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

poor girl at liis side, begging him to protect her. Without a 
moment for reflection, he told her to mount behind him, which 
she did — and in this way they rode at full speed to German- 
town, about three miles. 

After taking part in the Battle of Monmouth, and in the 
defense of Norvvalk, (Conn.,) Major Tallmadge planned and 
executed an expedition against the enemy at Lloyd's Neck, on 
Long Island. Here was a strongly fortified post, manned by 
about five hundred troops — in the rear of which post a large 
band of marauders were encamped. For tlie purpose of break- 
ing up this band of freebooters, he embarked at Shipan Point, 
near Stamford, September 5, 1779, at 8 o'clock in the evening, 
taking with him about one hundred and twenty men. The 
attack was so unexpected, that nearly the whole party were 
captured. Having destroyed the boats and huts of the enemy, 
the party re-embarked, with their prisoners, and before day- 
light landed on the Connecticut shore, without the loss of a 
man. 

In the autumn of 1780, Major T. was stationed on the lines 
in Westchester county. Returning from below to the regi- 
ment, then near Northcastle, on the evening of September 23d, 
he was informed that a prisoner had that day been brought in, 
by the name of John Anderson. On enquiry, he learned the 
particulars of his capture by three militia-men, Paulding, Van 
Wert and Williams. He further ascertained that Lieutenant- 
Colonel Jameson, (who, in the absence of Colonel Sheldon, 
then had command of the dragoons,) had sent the prisoner to 
General Arnold's headquarters, accompanied by a letter of in- 
formation respecting his capture. At the respectful but ear- 
nest solicitations of Major Tallmadge, Anderson was brought 
back to Northcastle, but Jameson persisted in sending the let- 
.ter forward to General Arnold. The observation of the Major 
soon led him to the conclusion that the prisoner had been hred 
to arms, and communicated his suspicions to Lieut.-Colonel 
Jameson — requesting him to notice his gait, especially as he 
turned on his heel to retrace his course across the room. — 
The Major remained with him almost constantly, and became 
deeply interested in his new acquaintance. After dinner on 




■f. 



COLONEL TALLMADGE. 153 

tlie 24tli, he requested the use of pen, ink iiud paper, which 
were readily granted him. He immediately wrote the cele- 
brated letter to General Washington, in which he acknowl- 
edged himself to be " Major John Andre, Adjutant General 
to the British Army." This letter he handed unopened to 
Major Tallmadge, who read it with deep emotion. The sad 
and important sequel of the story is familiar to every reader. 
A court martial of fourteen general officers (General Greene 
presiding,) adjudged him to be a spy from the enemy, and that, 
" agreeable to the law and usage of nations, he ought to suffer 
death." At 5 o'clock in the afternoon of October 2d, Major 
John Andre died on a gibbet, in the presence of an immense 
concourse of sjanpathizing people. His military suit having 
arrived from New York, he was executed in full uniform. 
Major Tallmadge walked with him from his place of confine- 
ment to the foot of the scaffold, where he bade him an affec- 
tionate farewell. Years subsequently, he wrote — " I became 
so deeply attached to Major Andre, that I can remember no 
instance where my affections were so fully absorbed in any 
man. When I saw him swinging under the gibbet, it seemed 
for a time as if I could not support it. All the spectators 
seemed to be overwhelmed by the affecting spectacle, and the 
eyes of many were suffused in tears." 

In the autumn of 1780, Major Tallmadge requested permis- 
sion of the commander-in-chief to attempt the destruction of 
the enemy's works at Smith's Manor, Long Island — but the 
General regarded the expedition as too hazardous to be under- 
taken. Major T. did not, however, abandon the project, but 
secretly visited Long Island for the purpose of making obser- 
vations and gaining information. On his return, he made an- 
other application, and obtained the consent of General Wash- 
ington. On the 21st of November, with one hundred dis- 
mounted dragoons, he embarked at Fairfield — crossed the 
Sound, and march toward Fort George, on south side of Long 
Island. The garrison was surprized and captured — the works 
were demolished, and the houses, shipping, and an immcjise 
quantity of stores, were burnt. Some valuable articles of dry- 
goods were made up in bundles and bound upon the shoulders 

20 



154 HISTORY OF LITCilFlELD. 

of the prisoners, wiio were pinioned two and two. The victors 
then re-crossed the island to their boats, with their prisoners 
and booty. While the main body Avas thns on the march, 
the Major selected eight or ten men, mounted them on horses 
which he had taken at the Fort, and made a digression for the 
purpose of destroying the king's magazine at Coram — which 
he accomplished — and, in the course of an hour and a half, 
joined his associates at a place where he had ordered them to 
halt. The whole company arrived in Fairfield — only one per- 
son engaged in the expedition having been seriously wounded. 
Among the prisoners taken were one lieutcp ant-colonel, one 
lieutenant, one surgeon, about fifty rank and file, and a host 
of others in the garrison. For this daring and successful ex- 
ploit, Major Tallmadge received the public thanks of the com- 
mander-in-chief and of the Congress of the United States. 

He continued in actual service until the close of the war, 
and was engaged in several other desperate enterprizes. Our 
article, however, is already too long, and we must close the 
narrative of his revolutionary services with the relation of a 
single additional fact. From 1778 to 1783, an important and 
confidential correspondence was carried on between General 
"Washington and Major Tallmadge, a large part of which is still 
in possession of the Tallmadge family. 

In November, 1782, he purchased of Mr. Thomas Sheldon, 
(for the sum of X 800,) the premises in North street in this vil 
lage, still known as The Tallmadge Place. In the purchase- 
deed of this property he is styled " late of Long Island, now of 
the Continental Army." He continued in tlie public service 
about a year longer, when the army was disbanded, and the 
subject of this sketch retired to private life with the rank of 
Colonel. Before separating, the officers of the army formed 
themselves into a national association called The Society of the 
Cincinnati^ of which Washington was chosen the first Presi- 
dent. At the same time, a similar Society was formed for each 
State. Colonel Tallmadge was chosen the first Treasurer and 
subsequent President of the Connecticut Society. 

On the 16th of March, 1784, Colonel Tallmadge was united 
in marriage to Mary Floyd, (daughter of General William 



COLONEL TALLMADGE. 155 

Floyd, of Mastic, L. I., a Signer of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence,) and at once took up his residence in this village. 
Here he engaged extensively and successfully in merchandiz- 
ing until 1801, when he was elected a member of the Congress 
of the United States. For a period of sixteen years, (by re- 
election every two years,) he held his seat in that distinguished 
body. Once more retiring from public life, he devoted 
himself with even more than his usual zeal, to the advancement 
of every good cause. For many years he was an officer and 
liberal benefactor of various charitable institutions and socie- 
ties ; while his contributions to the needy in his own town 
were much more frequent and extensive than were known to 
the public. 

On the 3d of June, 1805, Mrs. Mary Tallmadge died in 
Litchfield, leaving five sons and two daughters, viz., William 
S., Henry F., Maria, Frederick A., Benjamin, Harriet W., and 
George W. May 3d, 1808, Colonel Tallmadge married Maria, 
daughter of Joseph Hallett, Esq., of New York. He died at 
his residence in this village, March 13, 1835, in tlie 82d year 
of his age. The Sermon preached at his funeral by the Rev. 
Dr. Hickok, was published. 

Colonel Tallmadge possessed a tall and portly figure, and a 
courtesy and dignity of manner, which seem to have belonged 
peculiarly to the era in which he lived. At the same time he 
was as accessible to the humblest as he was the highest in the 
land. All loved and reverenced him. The old soldiers of the 
Revolution were wont to seek his assistance and advice — and 
they were ever received with cordiality, and their wishes 
attended to. Officers, also, of every grade, frequently visited 
him, and never failed to meet with a hospitable welcome. 
There are persons yet living, who recollect the interesting and 
affecting interview between him and Lafayette, at New Haven, 
where they met in 1824, after a separation of more than forty 
years. They embraced and wept, as they recurred to the try- 
ing scenes through which they had passed and the many chan- 
ges which time had wrought, since, in the ardency of youth, 
they had parted on a distant battle-field. 



156 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

The beautiful homestead where Colonel Tallmadge spent 
more than fifty years of his life, adjoins that where his com- 
rade in arms, Colonel Sheldon, spent his childhood, youth and' 
early manhood. 

The Honorable TAPPING REEVE, LL. D., became a 
resident of Litchfield in 1772, and spent more thsinjifty years 
of his life in this town. A son of the Rev. Abner Reeve of 
Southold, Long Island, he was born in that place in October, 
1744. He graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1763, 
and spent four years as a tutor in that institution. On the 24th 
of June 1773, he married Sally Burr, a daughter of President 
Burr of New Jersey College, and a grand-daughter of the re- 
nowned President Edwards. So long as she lived, she was an 
invalid, and for many years her husband spent a large portion 
of his time in ministering to her wants, " Though his domes- 
tic afflictions withheld him from the active scenes of the Rev- 
olution," says Dr. Beecher, in his Funeral Discourse, "none 
entered more deeply into his country's cause than he. He 
shared with his generation all the vicissitudes, hopes, fears, 
self-denials and losses, of that arduous day. He possessed, 
though in early life, the confidence, and participated in the 
counsels, of the wise and great and good men of that era ; and, 
at the moment of greatest dismay, when Washington fled with 
his handful of troops through the Jersies, and orders came for 
New England to turn out en masse and make a diversion to 
save him, the Judge was among the most ardent to excite the 
universal movement, and actually went in the capacity of an 
officer to the vicinity of New York, where the news met them 
of the victories at Trenton and Princeton, and once more 
Washington and the country were delivered." At one time, 
he had the honor of entertaining at his house in this village. 
General LaFayette and some of his brother officers, who were 
passing through this region on important public business. In 
1784, he opened his celebrated Law School, of which he was 
the Principal for nearly forty years. Though fitted to shine in 
public life, and though official honors were always within his 
reach, he seems rather to have shunned than sought promotion. 
He was once elected a Representative, and once only a mem- 



CHIEF JUSTICE REEVE. 157 

oer of the Council. He was an enthusiast in his profession, 
and had indeed but little taste for anything else of a secular 
nature. In 1798, he was appointed a Judge of the Superior 
Court and of the Supreme Court of Errors. Here his peculiar 
talents found ami)le scope for their full development. Until 
the adoption of the Constitution of 1818, all our Judges were 
elected annually by the Legislature. Judge Reeve gave such 
universal satisfaction, that he continued to be re-appointed from 
year to year until 1814, when he was promoted to the office of 
Chief Justice. On reaching the age of seventy years, he retired 
to private life^ — still, however, devoting much of his time to 
his favorite Law School. He died here, December 13,1823, 
in the 80th year of his age. He was eminently distinguished 
for his piety and learning. In seasons of revival, and indeed 
at all times, no layman in the parish was so efficient as a co- 
laborer with the pastor, as Judge Reeve. 

Mrs. Sally Reeve died soon after the war, leaving an only 
son, Aaron Burr Reeve. The latter, died in Troy, N. Y., in 
1809, leaving an only son, Tapping Burr Reeve, who received 
his first degree at Yale College in 1829, and died the same 
year. With him the family of Judge Reeve became extinct. 
April 30, 1798, the Judge married a second wife — Betsey 
Thompson — who survived him a few yeajs. 

Major MOSES SEYMOUR was born in Hartford, July 
23, 1742, and became a resident of Litchfield in early man- 
hood. Early in the war of the revolution, he was commissioned 
as Captain of the troop of horse attached to the 17th regiment 
of Connecticut militia. In June, 1776, Elisha Sheldon, Esq., 
of Salisbury, was appointed Major-Commandant of the Fifth 
Regiment of Cavalry ; and the subject of this sketch received 
the appointment of Captain of one of the companies of this 
regiment. Though Major Sheldon was subsequently trans- 
ferred to the command of the Second Regiment of Dragoons 
in the continental army. Captain Seymour retained his connec- 
tion with the Fifth until the close of the war. 

In April, 1777, on the occasion of the Danbury Alarm, Cap- 
tain Seymour mustered his troops and proceeded forthwith to 
assist in repelling the invason of Governor Tryon. He parti- 



158 HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

cipated in the skirmisliing which followed the retreat of the 
enemy toward the Sound. At the capture of Burgoyne, in 
October of the same year, he was once more at the head of 
his favorite corps, and did good service in that most important 
and decisive engagement. A day or two after the terms of 
capitulation were signed, the American officers invited Bur- 
goyne and his associate-officers to dine with them. At this 
interesting festival Captain Seymour was present. His ac- 
count of the conversations that took place on the occasion, be- 
tween the conquerors and the conquered, and particularly his 
minute recital of the toasts given on both sides, are still re- 
membered with interest by his neighbors. The utmost cour- 
tesy and good feeling prevailed on the part of the principal 
officers, and the responses to the sentiments given were hearty 
and enthusiastic. At length, General Burgoyne was called 
upon for a toast. Every voice was for the moment hushed into 
the deepest attention, as he arose and gave — " America mid 
Great Britain against the ivorld ."' The response which fol- 
lowed may be imagined. 

During the night which succeeded the final battle between 
Generals Gage and Burgoyne, Captain Seymour watched with 
a British officer who had been wounded and carried off the 
field in the midst of the engagement. Soon after he had en- 
tered the room, the officer, who had not before learned the 
fate of the day, enquired eagerly of Captain S. as to the result. 
On hearing that the British had been defeated, he remarked 
— " Then the contest is no longer doubtful ; America ivill be 
independent. I have fought earnestly for my king and country, 
but the contest is ended !" The kindness of Captain Seymour 
to him, an enemy, deeply affected him. He thanked him again 
and again ; and finally offered him his watch and other rewards, 
which were of course refused. The gallant American did all 
in his power to relieve the distresses ^ and soothe the mind of 
his charge — but his wounds proved fatal. 

During the greater part of the war. Captain Seymour was 
stationed at Litchfield as a Commissary of Supplies for the 
army. In this department of the public service, his zeal and 
efficiency were conspicuous, and duly appreciated by Governor 



MAJOR SEYMOUR. 159 

Trumbull, General Wolcott, and others. Few men in this 
section of the State labored as untiringly or accomplished more. 
I have elsewhere stated that Litchfield was a depot for military 
stores and provisions. Captain Seymour was employed not 
only in the purchase of these articles, but assisted in storing 
and guarding them while here, and in superintending their 
transportation wherever they might be ordered by the com- 
petent authorities. In September, 1781, we find him with 
his dragoons, by order of General Wolcott, guarding a train 
of wagons loaded with supplies for the French Army, from 
Litchfield to FishkilL* 

With the Peace of 1783, the subject of this sketch retired 
to private life with the rank of Major. In 1789, he was elec- 
ted by his fellow-citizens to the office of Town Clerk — a post 
to which he was annually re-elected during the remainder of 
his life, a period of thirty-seven years ! This uninterrupted 
bestowment of an office \ipon one individual for so long a 
time, is unprecedented in the history of the town. He was 
also a member of the House of Representatives at sixteen 
regular sessions, commencing with the October session, 1795. 
In the early part of the present century. Major Seymour was 
occasionally a candidate of the political party with which he 
was connected, for the Council of State. In 1805 he received 
7,426 votes, and at the election of the succeeding year he re- 
ceived 7,671 votes, for that office. 

Major Seymour was a gentleman of the old school, retaining 
to the last the manners and costume of that now obsolete class. 

On the 7th of November, 1771, he married Molly, daughter 
of Colonel Ebenezer Marsh, and had five sons and one daugh- 
ter — the latter alone surviving at the present time. Of these 

* The Frencli Commissary, Jujardy N. Granville, (who appears to have pos- 
sessed a very imperfect knowledge of our language,) left the following curious 
acknowledgment of the service, which is on file in the Comptroller's Office : 

" We, Commissary of War, employed in the Army of Rochambeau, Certified 
that the Detachment composed of 24 Dragons or Light Horses commanded by 
Mr. Moses Seymour, capitaine, came on with our teams and stores from Litchfield. 
We certified beside that the said Capitain Moses has taken a great care for the 
security of our convoy and bagagc while he stay with us till this place. 

JUJAEDY N. GRANVILLE. 

Fishkill, Sep 22, 1781.'' 



160 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

five sons, one became distinguished as a financier and Bank 
President ; two became High Sheriffs of this County ; one was 
a Representative, Senator, and Canal Commissioner, in the 
State of New York ; and one was for twelve years a United 
States Senator from Vermont — the most remarkable family of 
sons ever raised in Litchfield. The daughter, Clarissa Sey- 
mour, married the Rev. Truman Marsh, for many years Rec- 
tor of St. Michael's Church in this town. 

Major Seymour died at his residence in this village, Sept. 
17, 1826, in the 84th year of his age. His remains rest in our 
East Burying-Ground. 

There is yet another name which I would mention with 
respect in this connection — that of ELISHA MASON, the last 
of the Revolutionary Soldiers in Litchfield. With a patriot- 
ism as unquestioned and a zeal as ardent as can be claimed for 
the most renowned of our heroes, he performed the humbler 
duties of his sphere as fiuthfully as they, though all uncheered 
by the hope of fame or pecuniary reward. He died in this 
village, June 1, 1858, in the 100th year of his age. I fre- 
quently had occasion to consult him on matters of local inter- 
est, and found his mind clear and his memory retentive almost 
to the last. He seemed like one who had come down to us 
from a distant generation. In the last interview I had with 
him, (January 18, 1858,) he assured me that he well remem- 
bered the first meeting-house ever built in this town, and which 
was demolished when he was about three and a half years old. 
He also recollected the old fort which occupied the site of the 
present Court House, as well at that which stood on Chestnut 
jjill^both of which were erected as a defense against the In- 
dians. In the great struggle for Independence, he had periled 
his life in the cause of his country. And what was his re- 
ward ? On one occasion, at the expiration of a term of service, 
he was discharged on the Hudson, and paid off in continental 
currency. Starting homeward on foot, he reached Danbury, 
where he spent the night. In the morning, on attempting to 
settle his bill, his continental money was refused. He offer- 
ed larger and still larger sums — and finally tendered bills to 
the amount of forty dollars, for his lodging and meals ; but the 



ELISHA MASON. 161 

landlord refused to take the currency on any terms. Mr. 
Mason was finally compelled to pawn his rifle to cansel his in- 
debtness. As his wages were but eight dollars per month, he 
thus offered the avails of five months' services for his keeping 
for twelve hours ! But though so poorly requited by the 
country for which he had fought, the soldier lived to enjoy the 
blessings of a free government, and in bequeathing them as a 
rich legacy to his posterity, he felt himself abundantly repaid 
for all his toils and privations. 

Ten years ago, many an active participant in the stirring 
events of that great contest which resulted in the freedom of 
America, still lingered with us ; and many a story of personal 
adventure was told, at many a fire-side circle, to eager listeners. 
Now, alas ! the lips of those venerable men are forever sealed. 
Henceforth their chivalric deeds will live only in uncertain 
Tradition, or in the results which an all-wise Providence shall 
cause to flow from them. While enjoying the rich blessings 
which they assisted in achieving and transmitting to us, let us 
not fail to cherish their memory and em\ilate their potriotism. 



21 



CHAPTER IX. 

PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT. 

Though descendants of the puritans, and perhaps somewhat 
puritanic themselves, the first settlers of Litchfield and 
their immediate successors were not of that class who pro- 
scribed wholesome amusement and recreation. Their man- 
ners and customs were indeed simple. Industry and frugality 
were regarded as essential requisites. As already intimated, 
every man was from necessity a soldier and a hunter ; and 
the duties incumbent upon him in these capacities were full 
of bold adventure and healthful excitement. Where game 
was so abundant, a hardy and athletic people like our fathers 
could not have wanted for sport. Our streams and lakes, too, 
with their teeming abundance, afforded pleasant and profita- 
ble employment for such as had no better business. 

Husking-Parties, Apple-Bees, Raisings, Quiltings, "Weddings, 
Spinning-Parties, and Balls, were made occasions of hilarity 
and social good-cheer — though generally conducted with rus- 
tic simplicity and the strictest regard to economy. Mr. Mor- 
ris says — " When young people of both sexes assembled to- 
gether for amusement, they employed themselves principally 
in dancing, luhile one of the company sang. The first use of 
the violin in this town for a dance, was in the year 1748. The 
whole expense of the amusement, although the young people 
generally assembled, did not exceed one dollar, out of which 
the fiddler was paid ! When this instance of profusion took 
place, parents and old people exclaimed that they should be 
ruined by the extravagance of the youth. In 1798," continues 
the same writer, " a ball, with the customary entertainment 
and variety of music, cost about $160, and nothing was said 
about it. It is not to be inferred from this difference, that 
our youth had become more vicious than formerly ; but it 




E,ig.!rfrLCa;D».«. aom a cnyon sketch by Kunbrajidt Peale in the posscstion of Ge».Cibl»,Esci. 



THE STOLEN BRIDE. 163 

serves to sliow a material change in the wealth and character 
of the people." 

Tradition yet tells of the festivities and merry-makings that 
took place on Litchfield Hill, when, a sliort time before the 
Revolution, a gallant young officer of the militia led to the 
hymenial altar the accomplished daughter of one of the mag- 
nates of the town ; and how, in the midst of their rejoicings, 
the bride was mysteriously spirited away, and borne on horse- 
back to a quiet inn in Northfield ; with what fleetness, on that 
bright autumnal evening, the bridegroom and his attendants 
rushed over the eastern hills to the rescue ; how, on their arri- 
val, the little inn was suddenly illuminated, the violin struck 
up a merry tune, the dance commenced, and the festive-board 
was spread ; and how, an hour or two later, the cavalcade, 
like a triumphal procession, returned to the village. Long 
years tliereafter, when the wars with the mother-country were 
over and a grateful people were enjoying the liberties which 
that bridegroom, on the battle-field and in the council-chamber, 
had assisted in achieving, the venerable couple would some- 
times tell, to their children and their children's children, the 
story of the " stolen bride." 

The establishment of the Litchfield Law School by Judge 
Reeve, hi 178-i, and the Litchfield Monitor (a weekly news- 
paper,) by Mr. Thomas Collier, during the same year, affords 
indication of the growing importance of the town, and at the 
same time tended to give it a wider reputation. The intelligence 
and social position of its inhabitants, no less than the beauty 
of its location, drew hither the wealthy and distinguished from 
abroad — some, for the purpose of enjoying the congenial quiet 
of the place ; otliers, to participate in its superior educational 
advantages. New and more fashionable pastimes were now 
introduced among our people. In May, 1785, several Theat- 
rical Performances came off in this village, the principal char- 
acters being sustained by students of Yale College. The Mon- 
itor says — " Distinguished Merit and literary Ability were so 
evidently conspicuous and amply displayed on the Occasion, 
as would have done Honour to a British Theatre." In July, 
1787, Mr. Pool, an American Circus-Rider, announced that he 





164 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

would give an exhibition "in Mr. Buel's Orchard, Litchfield." 
In November, 1789, Shakspeare's Plays were performed in 
"Mr. Buel's Ball-Room," by a company of strolling actors; 
and about the same time, " the Surprizing Performances of 
the celebrated John Brannan and wife, from Dublin, in the 
Curious and Ingenious Art of dancing on the Slack- Wire," 
was advertized. 

Toward the close of the last century, the Hon. IMcssrs. Trac}'- 
and Allen, both of Litchfield, were in Congress at the same 
time with the Hon. Chauncey Goodrich, whose wife was a 
Litchfield lady — a daughter of Governor Wolcott. During 
the same period, also, the Hon. Oliver Wolcott, Jr., of this 
town, (then a member of the Cabinet.) was residing at the eeat 
of government with his family. Thus, the talent and beauty 
of Litchfield, (both of which had by this time become famous,) 
formed quite an element in the society of the national capital. 
An anecdote of General Tracy has been preserved, commemo- 
rative at once of Mrs. Wolcott's attractions and his own pecul- 
iar wit. Mr. Liston, the then British Ambassador, who was 
thoroughly English in his ideas, on some occasion said to him, 
" Your countrywoman, Mrs. Wolcott, would be admired even 
at St. James." " /Sir," retorted the Senator from Connecticut, 
she is admired even on Litchfield Hill .'" 

Of the object of " Sabbath-Day Houses," I have already spo- 
ken. The Bev. Henry Ward Beecher, in an address on the 
anniversary of the Landing of the Pilgrims, delivered in New 
York, December 20, 1853, alluded incidentally to the opposi- 
tion made to the introduction of stoves into the old meeting- 
house in Litchfield during the ministry of his father. This 
allusion called up divers reminiscences of the fierce war that 
was waged on the occasion. A New York correspondent of 
the Enquirer thus wrote — " When the heresy was broached, 
you probably recollect the intense excitement that prevailed 
on Litchfield Hill. The parties were formed — the Stove Party 
and the Anti-Stove Party. For a time the storm raged fear- 
fully ; but the Stove Party at length triumphed, and on the 
following Sabbath the stove was in its place." The writer 
then proceeds to give the residts. One maiden lady, of the 



THE STOVE CONTROVERSY. 165 

anti-stove party, " commenced fanning herself, and at length 
apparently swooned away" — declaring, when she recovered, 
that " the heat of that horrid stove had caused her to faint." 
The Cleveland (Ohio) Herald copied Mr. Beecher's remarks, 
adding — " We have a Litchfielder right by ns, who remembers 
all about that stove, and its advent into the old meeting-house 
on Litchfield Hill" — and the editor proceeds to give the recol- 
lections of the gentleman referred to. The editor of the Hart- 
ford Daily Courant appended the following remarks : 

" Now we have a word to say in the matter. Violent opposition 
had been made to the introduction of a stove into the old meeting- 
house, and an attempt made in vain to induce the Society to purcha.^e 
one. Tlie writer was one of seven young men who finally purchased 
a stove, and requested permission to put it up in the meeting-house 
on trial. After much difficulty, the committee consented. It was 
all arranged on Saturday afternoon, and on Sunday we took oub seat 
in the Bass, rather earher than usual, to see the fun. It was a warm 
November Sunday, in which the sun shone cheerfully and warmly 
on the old south steps and into the naked windows. The stove stood 
in the middle aisle, rather in front of the Tenor Gallery. People 
came in and stared. Good old Deacon Trowbridge, one of the most 
simple-hearted and worthy men of that generation, had, as Mr. Beech- 
er says, been induced to give up his opposition. He shook his head, 
however, as he felt the heat reflected from it, and gathered up the 
skirts of his great-coat as he passed up the broad isle to the Deacon's 
Seat, Old Uncle Noah Stone, a wealthy farmer of the West End, 
who sat near, scowled and muttered at the effects of the heat, but 
waited until noon, to utter his maledictions over his nut-cakes and 
cheese at the intermission. There had in fact been no fire in the 
STOVE — the day being too warm. We were too much upon the 
broad grin to be very devotional, and smiled rather loudly at the funny 
things we saw. But when the editor of the village paper, Mx\ Bunce, 
came in, (who was a believer of stoves in churches,) and with a most 
satisfactory air, warmed his hands by the stove, keeping the skirts of 
his great-coat carefully between his knees, we could stand it no longer, 
but dropt invisible behind the breastwork. But the climax of the 
whole was, (as the Cleveland man says,) Avhen Mrs. Peck went out 
in the midst of the service 1 It was, however, the means of reconcil- 
ing the whole society ; for, after that first day, we heard of no more 
opposition to the warm stove in the meeting-house." 

On referring to the Society's Records, I find the subjoined 

reference to the transaction mentioned in the article from the 

Courant : 



166 HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

" The following representation in writing, viz., 

" An Association of Young Men, inhabitants of tlie Town of Litchfield, desire 
the First Ecclesiastical Society, by their Committee, to accept of a Stove and . 
Pipe for their meeting-house. ' They request the Committee would consult the 
Societv. and inform the undersigned where they would wish to have it placed. 

JOHN P. BRACE, ) 

• HIRAM WALLACE, > Committee. 

L. GOODWIN, ) 

Litchfield, Oct. 18, 1816." 

— having been presented to the Society's Committee, and the Society- 
having been informed by their said Committee that they had accepted 
the Stove and Pipe referred to in said representation — Whereupon, 
Voted, That the Society's Committee be, and they are, instructed 
and directed to designate the place in which the said Stove shall be lo- 
cated, and give the necessary directions regarding the mode in which 
the said stove, and the pipe thereto attached, shall be erected. 

Attest, J. W. HUNTINGTON, Clerk." 

Ill nothing, perhaps, has there been a greater change during 
the l^st seventy-five years, than in the mode of traveling and 
carrying freight. Until the close of the Revolution, traveling, 
especially in the inland towns, was performed almost exclusive- 
ly on horseback. The saddle and the pillion were regarded 
by the upper and middle classes as articles of special conven- 
ience and gentility — much more so than carriages and coaches 
now are. Horses were trained to ca?'ri/ double ; and it was not 
an uncommon thing to see father, mother, and at least one 
child, mounted on the some horse at the same time. Long 
journeys were sometimes taken with this tripple load. For 
years after the Old Forge, in the western part of this town, 
was erected, the ore for its use was brought from the iron- 
mines of Kent in bags slung across the backs of horses ; and 
the bar-iron manufactured there, was bent in the form of ox- 
bows, and carried to market on horseback ! Ox-carts and 
ox-sleds were common, and journeys of hundreds of miles wer 
not unfrequently made in these tedious vehicles. Many of the 
ambitious and hardy young men of this town, who emigrated 
to Vermont, to the Genesee Country, and New Connecticut, 
went on foot — each carrying a pack, in which was enclosed, 
as an indispensable part of his outfit, a neiv axe. Some who 
thus went, became men of wealth and distinction. 

There was no public conveyance between Litchfield and the 
neighboring or more remote towns, for a period of nearly sev- 



POST-RIDERS, MAILS, ETC. 167 

eiity years after the settlement of the place commenced, -^s 
early as 1766, it is true, Mr. William Stanton was a post-rider 
between Litchfield and Hartford ; but as it is understood that 
his journeys were performed on horseback, the inference is 
that he did not make a business of carrying passengers ! ^: In- 
deed, during the revolution, all regular communication be- 
tween the interior towns was suspended, even where it had 
before existed ; but expresses were sent hither and thither, as 
the exigences of the hour might demand. Litchfield was on 
the great inland route from Boston to New York, as well as 
from Hartford to West Point, so that the amount of travel 
through the town was very great. 

The establishment of a weekly paper in this village, in 1784, 
seemed to call for some method of obtaining and circulatino- 
the " news." There was not a Post Office or a Mail Route in 
the County of Litchfield ; and how the subscribers contrived 
to get their papers, may well be regarded as a mystery- by tlie 
publishers of our day. In 1789, Jehiel Saxton, a post-rider 
between New Haven and Lenox, passed through this town on 
his route, at stated intervals. In 1790, another of this inter- 
esting class of primitive letter-carriers and errand-men, com- 
menced his long and lonely ride over the almost intermin- 
able succession of hills, between " the Litchfield Court-House" 
and the city of New York — leaving each place once a fortnight. 
That was a proud day for Litchfield — perhaps for New York 
also! 

But at length the enterprize of the printer accomplished 
what the Government had failed to do. In January, 1791, 
the Monitor contained the following announcement : 

"Post-Office Establishment. — The Public, particularly 
Gentlemen in the Town and Vicinity of Litchfield, liave some 
time lamented the want of a regular and weekly Intercourse 
with the City of Hartford, by a Post immediately from this 
Town — are respectfully assured, that a Post in conjunction 
with Mr. Isaac Trowbridge, the Rider from New York, will 
start from this Office for Hartford regularly, once a week, 
commencing on Monday next, the 31st inst. This Establish- 
ment has met the Sanction and Encouragement of Mr. Trow- 
bridge ; and the Undertakers will be subject to the same Reg- 



168 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Illation and Responsibility required by the Postmaster General. 
Consequently, every Duty annexed to the Business will be 
strictly and pointedly observed. 

" And that the Public may be better accommodated, and 
derive a safe Repository for their Letters, &c., a POST-OFFICE 
is opened in Collier's Printing Office — at which Place all Des- 
patches, to be transmitted through the Medium of either Post, 
must be deposited. During the Winter, (and till the 1st of 
May next,) the Post from New York will ride once a fortnight, 
and arrive on Tuesday Evening, commencing the 5th of the 
ensuing month. Those who have Business or Letters are re- 
quested to leave their directions at this Office, for New York 
on Tuesday, for Hartford on Saturday Evenings, preceding 
the days of departure ; as the Posts will positively start at an 
early Hour. Letters will be received at this Office for any 
part of the United States. 

Litchfield, Jan. 24, 1791." 

A memorial of those days may still be seen about half a 
mile west of the Court-House, in the highway — a mile-stone 
bearing the following inscription, viz. : 

" 30 Miles to 

Hartford. 

102 Miles to 

New York. 



J. Strong, 
A. D. 1787." 

Forty and fifty years ago, several of these relics, of red sand 
stone, were scattered along the main route through the town- 
ship, from east to west; but they have nearly all disappeared. 
The one above referred to, is of white marble, and was doubt- 
less erected by-the Hon. Jedediah Strong, who, at the date 
given, resided on the adjacent premises, and who appears to 
have been unwilling that an ordinary stone should stand so near 
his dwelling. He was evidently quite satisfied with his achiev- 
ment, as, in his subsequent advertizements, he designates the 
locality of his residence as " near the marble inile-stone," etc. 

On the 20th of February, 1792, the President of the United 
States approved and signed the Post Office Bill, by which, on 
and after the 1st day of June following, a Post Road was es- 
tablished from New York to Hartford, via. White Plains, 



FIRST POST OFFICE IN LITCHFIELD. 169 

Northcastle, Salem, Pound Ridge, Ridgefield, Danbuiy, New- 
town, New Milford, Litchfield^ Harwinton, and Farmington. 
A Government Post Office was established in this town during 
the same year ; and though for a while the only one in the 
county, it was not very generally patronized, if we are to 
form our opinion from the following and other similar adver- 
tizements : 

" LIST OF LETTERS at the Post Otfice in Litchfield last quar- 
ter : Noble Bostwick, New Milford ; Justus Cook, Northbury ; Da- 
vid Fancher, Watertown ; Reuben and John Miner, Winchester ; Jon- 
athan Werden, Salisbury. B. TALLMADGE, P. M. 

Litchfield, Nov. 1, 1792." 

Within the half-dozen years next succeeding the latter date, 
commenced what may be characterized as The Era of Turn- 
pikes and Stag- e- Coaches — which continued in its glory for 
something over forty years. During this period, very much 
was done to improve the routes of travel and to facilitate com- 
munication of town with town. Turnpike Companies were 
organized in all parts of the State, and turnpike stock was re- 
garded by capitalists as a safe, profitable and permanent in- 
vestment. The Litchfield and New Milford Turnpike Com- 
pany was incorporated in October, 1797 ; the Litchfield and 
Harwinton Company, in October, 1798 ; and the Litchfield and 
Canaan Company, in May, 1799. Then followed Straits' 
Turnpike, from Litchfield to New Haven, the Litchfield and 
Cornwall, the Litchfield and Torrington, and the Litchfield 
and Plymouth Turnpikes — so that, in due time, it became 
almost impossible to get into or out of our borough without 
encountering a toll-gate. Four-horse Stage Coaches gradually 
came into use from the time that Turnpikes became general ; 
and ultimately Congress enacted that the U. S. Mails should 
be thus conveyed on all the principal routes. Litchfield now 
became an important centre of travel. Daily lines of Mail 
Stages were established between this village and Hartford, 
New Haven, Norwalk, Poughkeepsie, and Albany. One after 
another. Post Offices were established in all the towns and 
principal villages in the County ; notwithstanding which, the 
business of the Litchfield Office has been constantly on the 

22 



170 HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

increase. Staging continued to be an extensive and profitable 
business in this town, until the opening of the Housatonic 
Railroad, in 1837, at -which time the Poughkeepsie and Alba- 
ny lines were discontinued. Two-horse Mail Wagons have 
since run from this village to meet the railroad trains at West 
Cornwall and New Milford. In 1848, the Naugatuck Railroad 
was completed from Bridgeport to Winsted — running through 
the entire length of this township, near its eastern boundary. 
Since that time, our onlij four-horse stage is that running from 
the village to the Litchfield Station on the Naugatuck Road. 

There are now six Post Offices in this township, viz., those 
of Litchfield, South Farms, Milton, Northfield, Bantam Falls, 
and Campville. In 1851, an office was established at the 
Litchfield Station, called " East Litchfield" — of which Messrs. 
William Butler and Charles Carter were successively Post- 
masters. It has since been discontinued. A Return from the 
General Post Ofiice, published some half-dozen years since, 
shows that the yearly receipts at the Litchfield Post Office 
exceeded those of any other office in the State, except those 
located in the cities. 

The following is believed to be a complete list of Postmasters 
at the Litchfield Office, from its establishment to the present 
time, viz., Benjamin Tallmadge, Frederick Wolcott, Moses 
Seymour, Jr., Charles^Seymour, George C. Woodruff, Jason 
Whiting, Reuben M. Woodruff, Leverett W. Wessells, and 
George H. Baldwin. 

The Postmasters for this town, for the year 1858-'9, are — 
Litchfield, Geo. H. Baldwin ; South Farms, W. L. Smedley ; 
Northfield, John Catlin ; Milton, H. Kilbourn ; Bantam Falls, 
L. Kenney ; Campville, J. M. Camp. 



ECCLESIASTICAL. 171 



CHAPTER X. 
ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS. 

FIRST SOCIETY. 

In a preceding chapter, I have given with some particular- 
ity an account of the settlement of the Rev. Timothy Collins, 
and of the erection of the first meeting-house in this town. 
The building was clapboarded, but had neither steeple or 
bell. Mr. Morris informs us that at the " raising," all the 
adult males residing in the township, sat on the sills at once ! 
Mr. Collins was ordained as the first pastor of the First Church, 
June 19, 1723. There is no evidence, either recorded or tra- 
ditionary, which would lead us to suspect that aught but the 
most perfect harmony existed between pastor and people, dur- 
ing the early part of his ministry. The first inference to the 
contrary may be drawn from the doings of a town meeting 
held December 25, 1728, when a memorial from Mr. C. was 
read, and the consideration thereof '^ postponed till the next 
meeting" — which, however, was not called until nearly three 
montlis afterward. It appears from the records of the meet- 
ing in March, that the memorial had reference to " the dis- 
count of money since the agreement was made" between the 
parties. It was finally resolved to pay him ten pounds per year 
in addition to the eighty pounds originally agreed upon as his 
salary — " until the town shall see cause to order otherwise." 

On the 14th of April 1731, the first vote was passed for 
"seating the meeting-house." In the doings of the same meet- 
ing occurs the following entry : " Voted, after dark, that Mr. 
Collins have the choice of the pews for himself and family." 
The peculiar significance of the wording of this vote, will be 
understood when taken in connection with a previous vote, 
which provided that " no act of the town should stand in force 
that was passed after day-light failed to record it." 



172 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

The controversy which began in a dispute concerning the 
salary of Mr. Collins, was continued through a long series of 
years, and increased in importance and acrimony. Though a 
decided majority of the church and society took sides against 
their pastor, there was still a respectable minority who sus- 
tained him. In 1744, the town voted " not to make any rate 
for Mr. Collins under present difficulties." At the same time 
a committee was appointed to treat with the pastor respecting 
his salary " and absence from the work of the ministry ^ In 
December, 1745, a committee was appointed " to eject Mr. Col- 
lins from the Parsonage Right." In December, 1750, Mr. 
C. was desired " to resign his ministerial office." During the 
succeeding month, a committee was appointed to carry a charge 
"agains.t Mr. C. to the Consociation, " for unfaithfulness in the 
ministerial office." To this last vote, Serg't. Joseph Mason, 
Lieut. Moses Stoddard, and Messrs. George Marsh, Archibald 
McNeile, John Marsh, William Peck, Sylvanus Stone, Asa 
Hopkins, and Alexander McNeile, " did protest." Two years 
later, a similar vote to the last was offered in town meeting, 
and negatived by a decided majority — yeas 13 ; nays 41. 

After a ministry in this town of about thirty years, Mr. Col- 
lins vacated the pulpit in 1752. Though his pecuniary contest 
with the town continued for a few years later, he seems to 
have been not unpopular either as a citizen or civilian. Like 
many of the clergy of that day, he had received a medical ed- 
ucation, and he continued here as a practicing physician, dur- 
ing the remainder of his life. He was elected by the voters of 
this town to the offices of Lister and Selectman, and was ap- 
pointed by the Legislature a Justice of the Peace for Litchfield 
County. In 1755, he was appointed a Surgeon of one of the 
Connecticut Regiments in the Expedition against Crown Point. 
He is represented to have been a gentleman of good talents 
and stately demeanor, but with manners by no means concilia- 
tory or popular. It is worthy of mention, as indicating that 
he may have been " sinned against" in his controversy with 
the town, that he was successful in the only lawsuit growing 
out of it. He died in Litchfield in 1776. 

In February, 1753, the town voted a call to the Rev. Judah 
Champion, of East Haddam, who had graduated at Yale Col- 



SECOND MEETING-HOUSE. 173 

lege in 1751. Two thousand pounds, old tenor currency, was 
voted as his settlement, and eight hundred pounds, old tenor, 
was voted as his yearly salary. Mr. Benjamin Webster was 
appointed to visit Mr. Champion, and deliver to him these 
votes of the town. Mr. Champion accepted the call, and was 
ordained as pastor of the First Church, July 4, 1758. 

On the 30th of December, 1760, the town voted to build a 
new meeting-house on the Green ; and Mr. Joseph Vaill, Mr. 
Alexander McNeile, Deacon Peter Buel, Jacob Woodruff, Esq., 
and Captain Solomon Buel, were appointed a Building Com- 
mittee. At the same time, Reynold Marvin, Esq., was desig- 
nated as the Town's Agent to apply to the County Court for a 
committee to fix the place for said meeting-house ; and Col. 
Ebenezer Marsh, Timothy Collins, Esq., and Capt. Elisha 
Sheldon, were appointed to wait on the Committee of the 
Court. The edifice was erected near the site of the old one, 
and was 63 feet long by 42 feet wide, with a steeple and bell. 
It was completed during the autumn of 1762. The old meet- 
ing-house was sold at auction in November of that year — Mr. 
Asa Hopkins, Vendue Master. 

Mr. Champion proved to be an able and popular minister, 
and continued here in the pastoral office until 1798. He died 
in this town, October 5, 1810, in his 82d year. 

From the organization of the town to the year 1768, all bu- 
siness relating to schools and ecclesiastical affairs was transac- 
ted in town meeting. The Society of South Farms (or the 
Second Society of Litchfield) having been incorporated, the 
First Society met for the first time, May 9th, 1768. Elisha 
Sheldon, Esq., was chosen Moderator; Isaac Baldwin, Esq., 
Clerk ; Mr. Joshua Garrett, Treasurer ; and Mr. Edward 
Phelps, Jr., Capt. Oliver Wolcott and Capt. William Marsh, 
Society's Committee. There was little done at these Society's 
Meetings, from year to year, except to appoint officers, Com- 
mittees, and Choristers. Now and then we find an entry in 
the records of a different character. Thus — December, 1772 
— measures were taken for " coloring the meeting-house, and 
putting up Electrical Rods^ At the same meeting, the Soci- 
ety's Committee were directed " not to let the Town's Stock 



174 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

of Powder and Ball to be stored in said house." Two years 
later it was voted that " the neiu method of Singing at present 
taught by Mr. Lyman," should be introduced into the public 
worship of the congregation ; and the singers taught by 
Mr. Lyman were granted " the use and privilege of the Front 
Seats in the Gallery." The subject of the minister's salary 
still gave the Society mucli trouble. Mr. Champion complained 
of the depreciated and fluctuating currency, as Mr. Collins had 
done before him. To obviate this difficulty, the Society, in 
1779, voted to give him as his salary for the then current 
year, the sum of seventy-five pounds sixteen shillings, money, 
" to be paid in the following articles at the usual prices affixed, 
viz.. Wheat at four shillings per bushel ; Rye at three shill- 
ings do. ; Indian Corn at three sliillings do. ; Flax at six pence 
per lb. ; Pork at twenty-five shillings per cwt. ; Beef at twenty 
shillings do. ; Tried Tallow at six pence per lb. ; Lard at five 
pence do ; Oats at one shilling per bushel." 

Mr. Champion's successor was the Rev. Dan Huntington, 
who, at the time he received the call to settle here, was a tutor 
in Yale College. He was ordained in October, 1798. As 
he was a gentleman of learning and eloquence, the church 
and society were delighted with their new pastor ; and he ap- 
pears to have been no less pleased at being settled in such a 
place and over such a people. He thus wrote concerning them 
— " A delightful village, on a fruitful hill, richly endowed 
with its schools, both professional and scientific, and their 
accomplished teachers ; with its venerable Governors and 
Judges ; with its learned lawyers, and Senators, and Repre- 
sentatives, both in the National and State Departments ; and 
with a population enlightened and respectable — Litchfield was 
now in its glory." During Mr. Huntington's ministry in this 
place, a remarkable religious awakening overspread this and 
and the adjacent parishes, resulting in the hopeful conversion 
of abo\it three hundred persons among the different denomin- 
ations of Litchfield. " This town,'-' says Mr. Huntington, "was 
originally among the number of those decidedly opposed to 
the movements of former revivalists ; and went so far, in a 
regular church meeting called expressly for the purpose under 



MINISTERS OF LITCHFIELD. 175 

the ministry of the venerable Mr. Collins, as to let them know, 
by a unanimous vote, that they did not wish to sec them. The 
effect was, they did not come. The report circulated, that 
Litchfield had " voted Christ out of their borders." It was 
noticed by some of the older people, that the death of the last 
person then a member of the church, was a short time before 
the commencement of our revival." 

Previous to the settlement of Mr. Huntington, the society 
voted him a " settlement" of one thousand dollars, and an 
annual salary of four hundred dollars ; also, agreeing to con- 
tinue to Mr. Champion, during life, a salary of one hundred 
pounds. In December, 1805, a subscription was made of funds 
to be placed at interest, for the purpose of adding- two hundred 
dollars to the salary of the pastor. It would seem, however, 
that notwithstanding these efforts to increase his income, Mr. 
Huntington had resolved upon leaving. The Church and 
Society, in February, 1807, voted not to concur in his request 
that a separation should take place between them. A 
Council, however, was called, and the connection amicably 
dissolved. In March, 1810, the Society voted a unanimous 
call to the Rev. Lyman Beecher, which was accepted, and he 
w£ts installed on the 80th of the succeeding May — President 
Dwight, of Yale College, preaching the installation sermon. 
After a successful ministry in this town of about sixteen years, 
he accepted a call from the Hanover-street Church, Boston, 
and was dismissed, February 21, 1826. His successor in the 
ministry here, was the Rev. Daniel Lynn Carroll, who was 
ordained October 3, 1827 ; and was dismissed, at his own re- 
quest, March 4, 1829. 

In 1827, the Society voted to erect a new church-edifice ; 
and Messrs. Frederick Wolcott, Stephen Doming, Salmon Buel, 
William Buel and Leonard Goodwin, were appointed a Build- 
ing Committee. The House was dedicated on the same day 
that the installation of Mr. Hickok took place. 

The Rev. Laurens P. Hickok, of Kent, was the next pastor, 
having been installed July 15, 1829. During his ministry 
here, of about seven years, 21 4 persons united with the church. 
Ninety-five of these were added at two communion seasons in 



176 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

the autumn of 1831 — being a part of the fruits of the great 
revival of that year. In September, 1836, Dr. Hickok having 
been elected Professor of Theology iii* the Western Reserve 
College, Ohio, requested a dismission from his pastoral charge, 
which was reluctantly granted — and he was dismissed, Novem- 
ber 15, 1836. 

June 12, 1838, the Rev. Jonathan Brace, of Hartford, was 
ordained as pastor of the church ; and was dismissed, at his 
own request, February 28, 1844. During his pastorate of 
about six years, not far from one hundred and fifty persons 
united with the church. 

The Rev. Benjamin L. Swan was installed as the eighth 
pastor, October 22, 1846, and closed his labors here, on the 
10th of May, 1856 — having supplied the pulpit with much 
ability and acceptance for nearly ten years. 

The present pastor, the Rev. Leonard Woolsey Bacon, was 
ordained, November 16, 1856, on which occasion the ordina- 
tion sermon was preached by his father, the Rev. Leonard 
Bacon, D. D., of New Haven. 

Deacons of the First Church, (from 1723 to 1859.) — John- 
Buel, Nathaniel Baldwin, Benjamin Hosford, Benjamin Kel- 
logg, Benjamin Webster, Thomas Harrison, Peter Buel, Moses 
Stoddard, Andrew Adams, William Collins, Ozias Lewis, 
Thomas Trowbridge, Andrew Benedict, Frederick Buel, Tru- 
man Kilbourn, Charles Adams, Cyrus Catlin, Henry W. Buel, 
and Henry B. Bissell. 

Clerks of the Society. — Isaac Baldwin, Roger Skinner, 
Abel Catlin, Luke Lewis, Samuel Buel, Jabez W. Huntington, 
Joseph Adams, Frederick Doming, Samuel P. Bolles, George 
C. Woodruff, Sylvester Galpin, Francis Bacon, James G. Bat- 
terson, Reuben M. Woodruff, Frederick D. McNiel. 

Treasurers of the Society. — Joshua Garrett, Abraham 
Bradley, Isaac Baldwin, William Stanton, Moses Seymour, 
Samuel Buel, Joseph Adams, Luke Lewis, Frederick Deming, 
Sylvester Galpin, George C. Woodruff, Charles Adams, SaniT 
P. Bolles, Chauncey M. Hooker, Henry W. Buel. 



FIRST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY. 177 

In 1735, Mr. John Davies, of Kinton, Hertfordshire, Eng- 
land, purchased a tract of land in the south-west corner of this 
town, and not long after took up his abode in that wild and 
unfrequented region. He was warmlj attached to the doc- 
trines and forms of the Church of England, [and was for some 
years the only Episcopalian in Litchfield. The unpopularity 
of Mr. Collins, of the congregational society, at length induced 
several of the leading members of his congregation to with- 
draw themselves from his ministry, and to look elsewhere for 
religious instruction. On the 5th of November, 1745, a meet- 
ing was called at the house of Captain Jacob Griswold, by 
Messrs. Jacob Griswold, Joseph Kilbourn, John Davies, James 
Kilbourn, Thomas Lee, Samuel Kilbourn, Abiel Smith, Joseph 
Smith, Abraham Kilbourn, Elijah Griswold, Isaac Bissell, Wil- 
liam Emmons and Daniel Landon — at which the First Epis- 
copal Society of Litchfield was organized. The first service 
after the English ritual, was performed in this town by the 
Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson, President of King's (now Colum- 
bia) College in the city of New York. At an adjourned Town 
Meeting, held on the 16th of February, 1747, it was voted, 
that " those who declared themselves members of the Church 
of England the last year, shall be discharged from paying their 
Minister's Rate for the last year — they paying two-thirds of 
the Rate that was made for them to pay the last year." This 
was one short step toward toleration. In that year Mr. John 
Davies deeded to the Episcopal Society in Litchfield, a tract of 
land situated about one mile west of the present Court House, 
containing fifty-two acres. This deed was in the form of a 
lease, for the term of nine hundred and ninety-eight years, 
for the use of the " Society for Propagating the Gospel in For- 
eign Parts — for which there was to be paid " one pepper-corn 
annually, at or upon the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, 
if lawfully demanded." About the same time, Mr. Daniel 
Landon deeded to Capt. Jacob Griswold and Captain Joseph 
Kilbourn, a tract of fifty acres, " lying westward of the Great 
Pond, near a mountain called Little Mount Tom," to hold for 
the use of said Society for Propagating the Gospel, " to be by 
said Society applied and appropriated for the benefit of the 

23 



178 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Minister of the Episcopal Church in Litchfield." The first 
church edifice of the parish was raised upon the first named of 
these tracts, April 23, 1749. It was covered — seats, pulpit, 
readmg desk and chancel were made — and it was used in this 
condition for about twenty years before it was Jinished. It 
was named St. MichaeVs^ by request of Mr. Davies. It stood 
(as did also the house of Captain Griswold, in which the society 
was organized,) nearly opposite the present residence of John 
E. Sedgwick, Esq., and continued to be occupied as a place of 
public worship for over sixty years. 

In 1749, John Davies, Jr., (the only surviving son of the 
first benefactor of the parish,) came over from Hertfordshire, 
tvith a wife and several young children,* and settled near his 
father, south-west of Mount Tom, at a place still known as 
Davies Hollow. As he was a gentleman of good estate, and an 
ardent Churchman, his arrival was regarded as an important 
accession to the Episcopal Society. He had previously crossed 
the ocean two or three times on tours of observation. His 
wife — whose maiden name was Mary Powell — was very reluc- 
tant to leave her native land ; and had it not been for the fact 
that one or more of her children were already in the family of 
their grand-parents in Litchfield, it is doubtful if she would 
have been induced to come. That she should have regarded 
her new home in the wilderness as cheerless and lonely, com- 
pared with the scenes she had left, is not to be wondered at. 
In writing home to her English friends, she is said to have 
described herself as " entirely alone, having no society, and 
nothing to associate ivith but Presbyterians and Wolves.''^ The 
reader may be interested in the fact, that though the wolves 
long since disappeared from Davies Hollow, som^ of the de- 
scendants of the excellent lady who thus wrote, are now num- 
bered among the sect of christians which she seems to have . 
regarded with such abhorrence. 

* William, Mary, Walter and James, were born in Hertford ; the other children, 
viz., Catharine, Elizabeth, Ann, James J., David, Rachel, George and Thomas, 
were l)orn in Litchfield. These were all children of Mr. Davies' second wife, 
Mary Powell. His first wife, Elizabeth Brown, was the mother of John, Thomas 
(the Rector of St. Michael's,) and William who died young. The youngest 
son, Thomas, was born about the time of the death of his elder brother of the same 
name. 



RECTORS OF ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH. 179 

From the organization of the society in 1745, to 1754, they 
were without a settled minister. The Rev. Drs. Mansfield, 
Johnson, Cutler and Beach, occasionally officiated here ; and 
in the absence of a clergyman, prayers were sometimes read 
by Messrs. Davies, Landon and Cole. The first Rector of 
St. Michael was the Rev. Solomon Palmer, M. A., who had 
been pastor of the Congregational Church in Cornwall from 
1741 to 1754. In March of the preceding year, to the great 
surprize and grief of his people, he on the Sabbath publicly 
announced himself an Ei)iscopalian in sentiment. lie soon 
after sailed for England, where he was ordained Deacon and 
Priest by the Rt. Rev. Zachary Pierce, Bishop of Bangor ; and 
returned to this country during the same year (1754,) bearing 
a commission from the Venerable Society as missionary for 
Litchfield, Cornwall and Great Barrington. His salary from 
the Society was £60 per annum. With the exception of about 
three years, (during which time he was Rector of Trinity 
Church in New Haven,) Mr. Palmer continued to reside in 
Litchfield, in the exercise of his pastoral duties, until his death, 
which took place November 1, 177.1, at the age of 62 years. 
He was buried near the old parish church, one mile west of 
the present edifice — where, Mr. Jones informs us, his tomb- 
stone was standing in 1812. His epitaph has recently been 
carved on a handsome modern monument in the West Burying 
Ground. 

His successor in the ministry of St. Michael's, was the Rev. 
Thomas Davies, M. A., (son of Mr. John Davies, Jr.,) who 
was born in Hereford, England, January 2, 1737, and was 
brought to Litchfield by his fatlier in 1745, when but little 
more than eight years old, and was left here with his grand- 
parents. This was some four years before his parents became 
residents of this town. Having graduated at Yale College in 
1758, and pursued the usual course of theological studies, 
Mr. Davies sailed for England, and was there ordained Deacon 
by the Archbishop of Canterbury, at Lambeth, on Sunday, 
August 23, 1761, and was ordained Priest by the same prelate 
on the following day. Like Mr. Palmer, he returned hither 
as a missionary of the English Society " for Litchfield county 



180 HISTOEY OF LITCPIFIELD. 

and the parts adjacent." By a subsequent and more definite 
appointment, the parishes of New Milford, Roxbury, New 
Fairfield, New Preston and Sharon, were designated as his 
field of labor. On the removal of Mr. Palmer to New Haven 
in 1763, he became the minister of St. Michael's, and remained 
here in charge of the parish until his decease, May 12, 1766. 
His Memoirs and Diary, (with a likeness,) were published in 
New Haven in 1843 — edited by the Rev. Mr. Hitchcock. The 
volume contains the record of a large number of Baptisms and 
Marriages in Litchfield. As heretofore intimated, Mr. Palmer 
returned to Litchfield and continued his pastoral duties in this 
place during the remainder of his life. Mr. Benjamin Farn- 
ham, a candidate for Holy Orders, officiated in the parish for 
a few months, until the arrival of the Rev. Richard Moseley, 
who was sent hither as a missionary of the Society in England. 
Mr, M. was not welcomed with any degree of cordiality, and 
was never recognized by the congregation as their pastor. He 
consequently returned to England, and carried with him such 
an "ill report" of the parish as to cause a suspension of the 
annual allowance from the English Society for the year 1773. 
On a due representation of the facts in the case, the salary 
was restored in 1774. 

The Rev. James Nichols, a native of Waterbury and a grad- 
uate of Yale College, l)ecame Rector of tlie parish, April 20th, 
1775. Though he is represented to have been a talented and 
popular preacher, the excitement consequent upon the Revo- 
lution drove him from the pulpit, and the church was closed 
until 1780. Mr. Nichols tlien resumed his ministerial duties, 
and the society from that time gradually increased in numbers 

* The Episcopalians of Litchfield have good cause to remember the Davies 
family witli gratitude. John Davies, Sen., (in addition to the gift of the lands 
referred to,) was perhaps the most liberal contributor towards erecting tiie first 
Episcopal church in tliis town. He died November 22, 1758, aod his remains wore 
brought seven miles from his residence and interred in our West Burying Ground, 
where they rest without a stone to mark the spot. He ordered gifts of mourning 
apparel to be made to his colleagues in erecting the church. John Davies, Jr., 
in January, 1794, gave a piece of land near his residence in Davies Hollow, for 
a church and Imrying-ground, on which, mainly at his own expense, a place of 
worship was erected. Aged and infirm, he sat in the door of his house and wit- 
nessed the raising of the building. He departed this life. May 10, 1797, in his 
84th year. His widow, Mary, died December 15, 1801, in her 76th year. 

On the organization of the town of Washington in 1779, Davies Hollow was 
annexed to that township. 



PROGRESS OP EPISCOrACY. 181 

and in public favor. On the 26th of October, 1784, it was in- 
corporated by an Act of the General Assembly of the State, 
and thereupon it was duly organized according to law. 

Episcopacy in Litchfield had thus far been tolerated, and the 
the members of the society had for the most part been treated 
by their fellow-townsmen with the ordinary courtesies of life ; 
but a large majority of the people of the town as well as of the 
members of the colonial and State 'governments, seem to have 
been particularly loth to do anything that might look like en- 
couraging dissent from what had so long been the established 
religion of Connecticut. In 1785, an "Address of Thanks" 
to the Legislature was drawn up by the Rev. Mr. Nichols and 
signed by Daniel Landon, Jr., in behalf of tlie society, for the 
act of incorporation. " Wishing the favor of a Justice of the 
Peace to adorn our Society ^^ (wrote Mr. Landon,) " they 
nominated Mr. Seth Landon, with some others, as a fit person 
to fill that office." Seventeen years after this request was 
made, Mr. Seth Landon was for the first time appointed to 
the office for which he was thus nominated ; nor do I find 
that, in the intermediate time, more than one Episcopalian 
was appointed to the magistracy for this town ! It was not 
until the Jeffersonian Campaign, when Messrs. Champion and 
Huntington began io mivoAxiQQ politics mio their sermons and 
prayers, that Episcopacy became sufficiently formidable in the 
town to demand ii^ full share of civil and political rights. 

Mr. Nichols resigned his charge of the parish in May, 1784; 
and on the 9th of September, 1785, the Rev. Ashbel Baldwin, 
(a native of Litchfield and a graduate of Yale College,) be- 
came the Rector of St. Michael's, and continued to occupy 
the position for about eight years — when he was succeeded by 
the Rev. David Butler, (afterwards D. D.) His successors 
have been the Rev. Messrs. Truman Marsh, Isaac Jones, John 
S. Stone, D. D., William Lucas, Samuel Fuller, D. D., 
William Payne, John J. Brandagee, Benjamin W. Stone, J. 
M. Willey, and the present Rector, Rev.^ H. N. Hudson. 

In 1796, during the ministry of Mr. Butler, a large number 
of Episcopalians residing in the west part of the town seceded 
from the first Episcopal Society, and erected a new church. 



182 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

The edifice, which stood upon tlie hill nearly opposite the 
Baiying-Ground at Bantam Falls, was fifty feet long by thirty- 
six broad, and was surmounted by a tower, bell, and steeple. 
It was planned and built by Mr. Giles Kilbourn, who died 
on the loth of September, 1797, and his funeral was the first 
attended within its walls.* In October, 1797, the seceders 
petitioned to be released from paying taxes to the First Epis- 
copal Society, and for permission to organize themselves into 
a distinct Society. On the fith of November following, this 
petition was granted ; and on the 14th, the " Second Episcopal 
Society of Litchfield" was duly organized, with the following 
officers, viz., Messrs. David Kilbourn, John Landon and Syl- 
vanus Bishop, Society's Committee ; James Kilbourn, Clerk ; 
and Heber Stone, Treasurer. In 1803, the two Societies were 
amicably united, and so continue at the present time — though 
they manage a portion of their affairs independently of each 
other, and have different Rectors. The Old West Church (as 
it was called,) was occupied as a place of public worship about 
forty-six years, and was taken down in the summer of 1843 — 
a smaller edifice having about that time been erected a few 
rods farther west. Services were held for the first time in the 
new church — which bears the name of St. PauVs — on Sunday, 
December 24th, 1843, by the Rev. G. C. V. Eastman, the 
newly appointed Rector. 

At the commencement of Mr. Marsh's ministry in this town, 
in 1799, he agreed to preach one-fifth of the time in Milton, 
where there were a few families of Episcopalians ; and in 1802 
a neat and convenient church was erected in that section of 
the town. It was raised on the 25th of June, 1802 ; finished 
in 1827 ; consecrated by Bishop Brownell in 1837, and is still 
in use. 

There is also a flourishing Episcopal church and society in 
Northfield, in the south-east part of this town, under the care 
of the Rev. Frederick Ilolcomb, D. D., of Watertown. 

* Mr. K- was enthusiastically devoted to his business as a Buikler, and did much 
in his generation to improve the architecture of this vicinity. The Talimadge 
House, and the present residences of William Deming and Henry R. Coit, Esq's., 
(all in this village,) were huilt by him. An obituary notice of him in the Monitor, 
(whfch is understood to have been written by the Rev. Dr. Butler,) says — "He 
was a man of uncommon industry, and a very valuable member of society." His 
funeral sermon was preached by Dr. Butler." 



METHODISM IN LITCHFIELD. 183 

111 June, 1790, the Eev. Freeborn Garrelson, one of the 
ablest and most earnest Apostles of Methodism in America, 
visited Litchfield on his way from the Hudson river to Boston. 
He was at that time Superintendent of the Northern District, 
and, in his itinerant journeyings, was almost invariably attend- 
ed by his colored servant, Harry, who was himself a licensed 
preacher of no mean distinction. They traveled together on 
horseback, apparently vising with each other in their zeal for 
the promotion of the cause of their common Master. On 
Wednesday, June 23d, (as we learn from Dr. Stevens' Memo- 
rials of Methodis7)i,') Mr. Garretson "rode seven miles to 
Litchfield, and was surprized to find the doors of the Episco- 
pal church open, and a large congregation waiting for him. 
He discoursed from the words — ' Enoch walked with God,' — 
and believed good was done. He left Harry to preach another 
sermon, and went on to the centre of the town ; the bell rang, 
and he preached to a few in the Presbyterian meeting-house, 
and lodged with a kind churchman." On the same day, Mr. 
Garretson wrote in his Diary — " I preached in the skirts of 

the town, where I was opposed by , who made a great 

disturbance. I told him the enemy had sent him to pick up 
the good seed ; turned my back on him, and went my way, 
accompanied by brothers W. and H. I found another waiting 
company, in another part of the town, to whom I declared, 
' Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.' In this town 
we have given the devil and the wicked much trouble ; we 
have a few good friends." On his return from Boston, Mr. 
Garretson again preached in Litchfield — Friday, July 13, 1790. 
So far as I have learned, these were the frst Methodist ser- 
mons ever preached in this town. 

The Litchfield Circuit was organized during the spring of 
1790, and embraced, according to Mr. Stevens, " the north- 
western section of Connecticut." In May, 1791, the Rev. 
Messrs. Matthias Swain and James Covel were appointed by 
the conference to labor in this Circuit. Their immediate suc- 
cessors, previous to the commencement of the present century, 
were. Rev. Messrs. Lemuel Smith, Samuel Ostrander, Philip 
Wagner, James Coleman, Enoch Mudge, F. Aldridge, Jesse 



184 HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

Stoneman, Joseph Mitchell, Daniel Dennis, Wesley Budd, 
Ezekiel Canficld, William Thatcher, Ebenezer Stevens, Free- 
man Bishop and Augustus Jocelyn. 

On the 21st of July, 1791, the famous Bishop Asbury 
preached in the Episcopal church in this town. In reference 
to his visit here, he wrote — " I think Morse's account of his 
coTintrymen is near the truth ; never have I seen any people 
who could talk so long, so correctly, and so seriously, about 
trifles." A hard hit, certainly ! — is it not too well deserved ? 

I have found no records whatever, indicating the progress 
of this denomination in Litchfield, for many years subsequent 
to the last of the dates here given. The names of the follow- 
ing persons in our Grand List for 1805, are put down as " mem- 
bers of the Methodist Society," viz., Noah Agard, Isaac Bald- 
win, Ebenezer Clark, Thomas F. Gross, Elisha Horton, Samuel 
Green, Jonathan Hitchcock, Roswell McNeil, Jonathan Rogers, 
Daniel Noyes, John Stone and Arthur Swan. 

In 1837, a handsome churcli edifice was erected by the 
Methodists, in Meadow street, in this village, which was dedi- 
cated on the 27th of July of that year. The dedication ser- 
mon was preached by Professor Holdich, of the Wesleyan 
University ; and an appropriate discourse was delivered by 
the Rev. Mr. Washburn. The following clergymen have since 
been stationed here, generally for two years each — Rev. Messrs. 
Charles Chittenden, Keyes, Gad Smith, Jason Wells, D. L. 
Marks, William Dixon, Joseph Henson, William B. Hoyt, N. 
C. Lewis, H. N. Weed, Lounsbury, and William Howard. 

The number of members of this church, as reported to the 
Conference about a year since, is 113. 

In addition to the church in this village, there is a Metho- 
dist church in Milton and another on Mount Tom. 

The late Rev. Horace Agard, and the Rev. Joseph L. Morse, 
are, so far as I can learn, the only natives of the town who 
have become Methodist ministers. 

There is a flourishing Baptist Church and Society at Ban- 
tam Falls, under the charge of the Rev. Mr, Ganun. For- 
merly there was a Baptist Church in Northfield, which flour- 
ished for several years under the pastoral care of the Rev. 
Messrs. Seth Higley and Levi Peck. 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 
fif |latib5 nnb gtsibcnts iof tire Mt)it 0f f itcMtliy, 



ADAMS, Samuel, a n.itive of Milford and long a resident of 
Stratford, came to this village to reside a few years previous to his 
death — which took place here, November 12, 1788, in the Both year 
of his age. lie had been a ])rominent lawyer and Judge of the Fair- 
field County Court. His widow, INIrs. Mary Adams, died in this 
town, August 29, 1803, in the one hundred and sixth year of her age. 
" She retained," says the Monitor, " her memory, reason and activity 
remarkably, until about two years before her death. After she was 
an hundred years old, she rode on horseback thirty miles in one day." 
She was a daughter of Mr. Zachariah Fairchild, and was born in 
Stratford, May 7, 1G98; thus having lived in three centuries! 

ADAMvS, Andrew, LL. D., (son of the preceding,) resided in this 
town about thirty years, and became Chief Justice of the State. 
He died in this village, while holding that ollice, Nov. 27, 1797, aged 
t)2. [See pp. 144 and 145. of this volume.] 

ALLEN, John, a native of Great Barrington, Mass., was admitted 
to the Litchfield Bar in 1786, and continued to reside here as a prac- 
ticing lawyer until his death, in the year 1812. He was a Repre- 
sentative at seven sessions ; Clerk of the House in 179G ; member of 
Congress from 1797 to 1799; and member of the State Council from 
1800 to 1806. He not only possessed great powers of mind, but was 
remarkable for his imposing presence — having been neaz'ly seven feet 
in height, and with a proportionably heavy frame. He was buried 
in our East Graveyard. 

ALLEN, John W., (son of the preceding,) was born in Litchfield, 
but left his native town soon after the deatii of his father. Havin"- 
studied law, he settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where he became eminent 
in his profession. In 1837, he was elected a member of Congress 
from Ohio, and was re-elected in 1839. He has also been Mayor of 
Cleveland, Presidential Elector, etc. 

ALLEN, General Ethan, the Heio of Ticondcroga, was boi'n in 
Litchlicld, January 10, 17o7-'8; and died in Burlington, Vermont, 
February 13, 1789, aged 51 years. [Sec p^). 135, ok', of this volume.] 

24 



1S6 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

AGAllD, Rev. Horace,, (son of Mr. Noah Agard,) was born in 
Litchfield, received a license to preach from the Methodist Confer- 
ence, and for some time labored successfully in his native town. Re- 
moving to the State of New York, he was ordained Deacon in Paris, 
by Bishop George, in 1821, and two years later he was ordained 
Elder at Westmoreland, N. Y., by the same Bishop. For eleven 
years out of nineteen of effective service in the ministry, he was Pre- 
siding P21der of the Susquehanna and Berkshire Districts. He died 
in the faith, January 8, 1850. 

BACON, Asa, a resident of Litchfield from 1803 to 1852, was born 
in Canterbury, graduated at Yale College in 1793, and died in 
New Haven in February, 1857, aged 86. He was one of the most 
eminent lawyers at the Litchfield bar. His widow, (a daughter of 
the late Hon. Epaphroditus Champion, of East Haddam,) is still living 
in New Haven. 

BACON, Epaphroditus Champion, (eldest son of the preceding,) 
was born in Litchfield in 1811 ; graduated at Yale College in 1833; 
and settled in his native town as a lawyer. In 1839, he was a Del- 
egate to, and vSecretary of, the National Convention which met at 
Harrisbui-g and nominated General Harrison for the Presidency of 
the United States. Mr. Bacon was elected a Representative from 
this town in 1840, and again in 1811. He was a diligent antiquarian 
and genealogist. While traveling in Europe, he died at Seville, 
Spain, January 11, 1845, aged 34 years. 

BACON, Lieutenant Frederick A., (son of Asa Bacon, Esq.,) 
was born in Litchfield in 1813 ; entered the Navy in his youth, and 
was attached to the U. S. Schooner Sea Gull of the Exploring Expe- 
dition, which foundered off Cape Horn, May 1st, 1839, and all on 
board perished. He was 2G years of age. Lieut. Bacon was mar- 
ried, and left one son. 

BACON, General Francis, (youngest son of Asa Bacon, Esq.,) 
was born in Litchfield in January, 1820; graduated at Yale College 
in 1838: studied law with the Hon. O. S. Seymour, and settled as a 
lawyer in his native town. With the exce])tion of two or three years, 
he continued to reside here until his death. Li 1847 and 1848, he 
was F'irst Clerk of the Plouse ; and in 1849, he was elected to the 
Senate of this State. He was also Major General of all the Militia 
of Connecticut. He died in this town, September IG, 1849, aged 29 
years and 8 months. General Bacon married P^lizabeth Dutcher, of 
Canaan, and left one daughter, Kate. 

BALDWIN, Isaac, graduated at Yale College in 1735, settled in 
Litciifieid in 1742, and died here, January 15, 1805, aged 95 years. 
He was a Representative at ten sessions, Clerk of the Probate Court 
twenty-nine years. Town Clerk thirty-one years, and Clerk of the 
Court of Common Pleas forty-two years ! 

. BALDWIN, Rev. Ashbel, (son of Isaac Baldwin, Esq.,) was born 
in Litchfield, March 7, 1757, and <zraduated at Yale College in 1776. 



BIOGRAPHY 187 

He was onlai 110(1 Deacoii nt Middletown, by Bishop Seabury, Aug. 
o, ITS-O — heivg the first Episcopal ordination in tJic United States. 
In September Ibllowing, he wiis ordained Priest by the same Bisliop. 
From 17S5 to 1793, he was Rector of St. Michael's church in this 
town, and was afterwards for about thirty years Rector of Clirist 
Church, Stratford. He was Secretary of tlie Diocese of Connecticut, 
and member of the General Convention, Mr. Baldwin died in Roch- 
ester, N. y., February 8, 1846, in his 89th year. From his register 
it appears that he had preached and performed service about 10,000 
times ; baptized 3,010 persons ; married 600 couple; and buried about 
3,000 persons ! 

BALDWIN, William B., (son of Captain Horace and grandson of 
Isaac Baldwin, Esq.,) was born in Litchfield, January 7, 1803, and 
has been for more than twenty years past one of the editors and pro- 
prietors of the New Haven Daily and Weekly Register. He has also 
been State Printer, member of the Common Council of the City of 
New Haven, &c. 

BARNES, Amos, (son of Mr. Enos Barnes,) was born in Litch- 
field, and settled in Pittsfield, Mass., whei'e he still resides. He was 
an officer in actual service in the last war with Great Britain ; has 
since been a Selectman, Magistrate, and Trial Justice of the Police 
Court; and in 1837 and again in 1838, he was elected a member of 
the Massachusetts House of Representatives. 

BEEBE, Bezaleel, a Colonel in the continental army, was born in 
Litchfield, April 28, 1741 ; died May 28, 1824. [See p. 145.] 

BEECHER, Lyman, D. D., was born in New Haven, October 12, 
1775 ; graduated at Yale College in 1797 ; and was ordained pastor 
of a church in East Hampton, L. L, in December 1798, with a salary 
of IjfoOO per year. In 1810, at the age of thirty-five years, he was 
installed pastor of the First Church in Litchfield, and remained here 
in that capacity for a period of sixteen years. This was, as he him- 
self states, by far the most active and laborious part of his life. In 
addition to his ordinary pastoral services, he was probably more con- 
spicuously identified with the establishment of the great benevolent 
associations of the day, than any other country pastor in New Eng- 
land. Returning, full of zeal, from the first meeting of the American 
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, in 1812, he called to- 
gether, in this village, several cjiergymen and laymen from various 
parts of the county, who organized the Litchfield County Foreign 
Mission Society — the first Auxiliary of the American Board. 
He was active in all the-reforms of that period. His Six Sermons on 
Intemperance, which were preached in our old meeting-house in 1826, 
were widely circulatctl on both sides of the Atlantic, and were among 
the earliest and most eficctive means in arousing the Christian world 
to the evils of intemperance. In 1826, Dr. Beecher became i)astor 
of the Hanover street Church in Boston; and in 1832, he accepted 
the Presidency of Lane Theological Seminary in Ohio, in which lat- 
ter ofTuc he continued for some ten years. Subsequently, for a few 



188 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

years, he was engaged in preparing his Works for the press. He 
now resides in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Beecher has been three 
times married, and has had thirteen chiklren, viz., 1 Catharine E,, 
distinguished as an author ; 2 Rev. WilHam H. ; 3 Eev. Edward, 
D. D., ex-President of Illinois College ; 4 Mary Foote, m. the Hon. 
Thomas C. Perkins, of Hartford ; 5 Harriet, died young, on Long 
Island ; G Rev. George, died in Chilicothie, Ohio ; 7 Harriet, m. 
Rev. Dr. Calvin E. Stowe, now of Andover, Mass. ; 8 Rev. Heniy 
Ward; 9 Rev. Charles, of Georgetown, Mass.; 10 Frederick, died 
young, in Litchfield ; 11 Isabella Holmes, ra. John Hooker, Esq., of 
Hartford ; 12 Rev. Thomas K., of Elmira, N. Y. ; 13 Rev. James C, 
Seamen's Chaplain in China. Of these, Mrs. Stowe, Henry Ward, 
Charles, Frederick, JNIrs. Hooker, and Thomas K., were born in 
Litchfield. 

BEECHER, Rev. Henry Ward, was born in Litchfield, June 24, 
1813 ; graduated at Amherst College in 1834 ; Avas licensed to preach 
in April, 1838; and was settled as pastor of a church in Lawrence- 
burgh, Indiana, in the fall of the same year. From August 1839 to 
October, 1847, he was pastor of a church in Indianapolis, Indiana ; 
and since the last named date he has been pastor of the Plymouth 
Church, Brooklyn, N. Y". He is a powerful and popular preacher 
and lecturer, and is said by the New American Cyclopedia to have 
"the largest uniform congregation in the United States." He is the 
author of a volume of Lectures to Toung Men; The Star Papers ; 
Views and Experiences; Talks about Fruits, Floioers, and Farming, 
&c. ; and two volumes of extracts from his extemporaneous discources, 
noted down, edited, and published, by members of his congregation, 
have had an extensive circulation. Mr. Beecher was married, Aug_ 
3, 1837, to Eunice, daughterof Dr. Artemas Ballard, of W, Sutton, Ms. 

BEERS, Seth P., was born in Woodbury, July 1, 1781, studied 
laAv with the Hon. Ephraim Kirby, and at the Litchfield Law School, 
and was admitted to the bar on the 20th of March, 1805. He has 
ever since resided in this village. In November, 1813, he was ap- 
pointed by President Madison, Collector of the Direct Taxes and 
Internal Revenue of the United States, for Litchfield county, and held 
the ofiice until it was abolished in 1820. He was also State's Attor- 
ney for five years, and a Representative in 1820, 1821, 1822 and 1823. 
In 1821, he was Clerk of the House, and during the sessions of the 
two succeeding years he was Speaker. In 1824, he was elected a 
State Senator, and, while holding that otfice, the Legislature appoint- 
ed him Assistant Commissioner of the School Fund. On the resig- 
nation of the Hon. James Hillhouse, he was appointed sole Commis- 
sioner, June 1, 1825, and resigned said office to take effect December 
1, 1849. The Legislature passed a unanimous vote of thanks to Mr. 
Beei'S "for his long, laborious and faithful labors as Commissioner of 
the School Fund." Mr, B. has also been a candidate for Congress ; 
and in 1839, he was the regular democratic nominee for Governor. 
He was a Presidential Elector in 1836, and State Superintendent 
of Common Schools from 1845 to 1849. 



BIOGRAPHY. 189 

BIRD, John, (son of Dr. Sctli Bird,) was born in Litchfield, Nov. 
22, 1768 ; graduated at Yale College in 1786; practiced law for a 
lew years in his native town ; removed ta Tioy, N. Y., in 1794, and 
died there in the year 1806, aged 38 years. He had been a member 
of the Legislature of New York, and a member of Congress from that 
State. Ex-President Van Buren thus writes to the author of this vol- 
ume concerning him : "John Bird I did not know personally, but 
have always taken much interest in his character and career. He 
must, according to all accounts, have been one of the very ablest men 
in the State, though a very eccentric one. Tiiere have been but few 
men among us, who have left behind them so many racy anecdotes 
illustrative of their peculiarities." His first wife was a daughter of 
Col. Joshua Porter, of Salisbury ; his second wife was Sally Buel, 
daughter of Mr. David Buel, of Troy, formerly of this town. He left 
sev-eral children. 

BIRGE, Gen. Jolin Ward, was born in Litchfield, January 7, 1803, 
and in his youth went to reside with an uncle in Cazenovia, N. Y. 
He received his medical degree at Geneva College, and is a successful 
practitioner in Utica, where, as a surgeon and occulist, he, has a high 
reputation. He is, however, principally fiimous for his connection 
with tlie Patriot War in Canada in 1837-'8. He had previously been 
Colonel of the Eighth Regiment of New York State Cavalry; and, 
while holding tlie office of Brigadier General, (an extensive organi- 
zation being perfected along the lines, liaving for its object the 
freedom of the Canadas from British rule,) he was waited upon by a 
deputation from the executive committee having the matter in charge, 
who urged upon him the acceptance of a Major General's commission, 
with the command of the second of the three Divisions. After some 
hesitation, he accejjted the position, and fixed his headquarters at 
AVatertown, N. Y. The confidence and enthusiasm of the people on 
the subject, for fifty miles on each side of the lines, was so unbounded, 
that such a thing as failure seems not to have been thought of. The 
whole plan of operations, however, was frustrated by a rash attempt 
of Colonel Von Shoultz, a gallant Polander, to land at Prescott with 
his regiment. Success would have made Heroes and Patriots of the 
chief actors in the enterprize ; failure made them Rebels and Traitors. 
Von Shoultz and others were hanged, some were banished, and some 
(among whom was the subject of this sketch) were tried for a breach 
of the neutrality laws. General Birge is a sou of the late Joseph 
Birge, Esq., who died in this town in 1854. 

BISSELL, George Beckwith, (son of Mr. John Bissell,) was born 
in Litchfield, Sept. 12, 1823, entered the United States Navy in his 
youth. In August, 1846, he was attached to the U. S. Brig Tnixton 
when she Avas wrecked on the coast of Mexico, and with others was 
seized and held as a prisoner of war. On his release,* he made a visit 
to his native town ; 'l)ut soon re-joined the Navy, and for eighteen 
months was attached to the scientific department at Washington. He 
joined the Frigate Ciunberland in New York, as Sailing Master, on 
the 31st of August, and died at the Naval Hospital in Brooklyn, Sep- 



190 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

tumber 10, 184vS, aged 25 years. His remains weie brought here for 
interment. liis elder brothers, John Bissell, Jr., and Edward Bissell, 
Ksq'rs., (both hxwyers in New York city,) were born in the State of 
New York, but resided many years in Litchfiekl. Tlie latter has 
been a Purser in the Navy. 

BISSELL, Lyman, (son of Mr. Hiram Bissell,) was born in Litch- 
field, October 19, 1812 ; was Captain in' the United States Army, 
and Paymaster of the New England Regiment, in the War with 
Mexico ; and is still an officer in the Army. 

BRACE, John P., was born in Litchfield, February 10th, 1793 ; 
graduated at Williams College in 1812; and was for some years 
I'riucipal of the Litchfield Female Academy, and subsequently of the 
Hartford Female Seminary. For eight or ten years past, he has 
been one of the editors of the Hartford Daily and Weekly Gourant. 
Mr. Brace is the author of Lectures to Young Converts, Tales of the 
Devils, and The Fawn of the Pale Faces. 

BRACE, Charles Loring, the celebrated traveler, is a son of John 
P. Brace, Esq., and was born in Litchfield, June 19, 182G. Having 
graduated at Yale College in 184G, and pursued a course of theologi- 
cal studies, he spent several years traveling in Europe ; as a part of 
the fruits of which, he has given to the public three or four very in- 
teresting volumes, viz., Hungary in 1851, Home Life in Germany, 
The Norse Folk, &c. In May, 1851, during the Hungarian struggle 
lor independence, Mr. Brace was seized as a spy by the Austrian au- 
thorities, and imprisoned at Gross AVardein ; but after a lapse of 
thirty days, he was released through the intervention of Mr. McCurdy, 
then American Minister to Austria. He is now Secretary of the 
Children's Aid Society in the city of New York. 

BRADLEY, Abraham, (son of Abraham Bradley, Esq.,) was born 
in Litchfield, February 21, 1767, studied law, and became a Judge in 
Luzerne county, Penn. From 1799 to 1829, he was First Assistant 
Postmaster General of the United States. He drew and published 
a Map of ail the Post Roads in the Union, with the Post Offices and 
distances clearly defined. He died at his residence in the city of 
AVashington a few years since. 

BRADLEY, Dr. Phineas, (brother of the preceding,) was born in 
Litchfield, July 17, 1769 ; married Hannah Jones, of this town, and 
settled here as a physician and druggist. When the oflice of Second 
Assistant Postmaster General was created by Congress, Dr. Bradley 
was appointed, and retained the position for about twenty-five years. 
He was a gentleman of wealth, and distinguished for his hospitality 
and benevolence. He died at his beautiful seat, Clover Hill, two 
miles north of the national capitol, in the spring of 18i5, aged 76. 

BRADLEY, William A., (son of the preceding,) was born in 
Litchfield, July 25, 1794, and settled in the City of Washington, 
where he still resides. He has been President of the Patriotic Bank, 
Postmaster, and Mayor of the city. 




;'i-rJ.C.Bu-oreaiT- 





BIOGRAPHY. 191 

BUEL, David, Jr., born in Litclifield, October 22, 1784 ; gradua- 
ted at "Williams College in 1805 ; settled as a lawyer in Troy, where 
lie still resides. In 1821 , he was a Delegate to the Constitutional Con- 
vention of his adopted State ; for some years held the oliice of First 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Renselaer county; and in 
1S42, he was elected a Regent of the State University — a position 
which he still holds. From 1829 to 1847, Judge Biiel was a Trustee 
of Williams College. May 24th, 1814, he married Harriet, daughter 
of John G. Ilillhouse, Esq., of Montville, Conn., and has several 
sons and daughters, 

BUSriNELL, Rev. Horace, D. D., (son of Ensign Bushnell, Esq.) 
was born in Litchfield in 1802; graduated at Yale College in 1827, 
and was a Tutor in that institution from 1829 to 1831. For the 
last twenty-seven years, he has been pastor of the North Congrega- 
tional Church in llartlbrd. He received the degree of Doctor of 
Divinity from the Wesleyan University in 1842, and from Harvard 
College in 1852. Besides a large number of published Addressijs 
and Sermons, he is the author of several theological works that 
havp elicited much attention on both sides of the ocean — among which 
are God in Christ, Nature and the Supernatural, and Sermons fur the 
New Life. 

CATLIN, Julius, (son of Mr. C4rove Catlin,) was born in Har- 
winton in 1790. When he was about one year old, his parents re- 
moved to this village, and this continued to be his home for the suc- 
ceeding twenty years, though at the age of fifteen he commenced his 
clerkship in Hartford. He became a successful merchant in that 
city, where he still resides. Many years ago he was a Director of 
the Connecticut Branch of the United States Bank, and was one of 
the Committee appointed to wind up the affairs of that institution, 
when the parent Bank had been crushed by the veto of General 
Jackson. In 184G, he was appointed Commissary General of the 
State, and subsequently he held the office of Auditor of Public Ac- 
counts. The President of the United States, in 1847, commissioned 
Colonel Catlin as a member of the Board of Visitors to the National 
Military Academy at West Point. In tlie autumn of 185G, Colonel 
Catlin and ex-Governor Dutton were chosen Presidential Electors 
for the State at large. At the annual election in April, 1858, the 
subject of this sketch Avas chosen Lieutenant-Governor of Comiecti- 
ant — an office which, by re-election in April last, he still holds. It 
is pleasant to his Litclifield friends to know that long absence has not 
obliterated his recollections of these cherished scenes. In a recent 
letter to the author of this volume, he says — " I look back with de- 
light on the many days and years of my childhood and youth spent at 
my happy home. My recollections of Litchfield are indeed [ileasant. 
I love its very name, and shall ever take a deep interest in the welfare 
of the place." Would that all the emigrant Sons of Litchfield might 
carry with them, and retain through life, the same genial love for 
their early homes ! In 1829, Mr. Catlin married ]\Iary Fisher, of 
Wrcnthara, Mass., (a sister of the wife of the Rev. Joel Hawes, D. D.,) 



192 HiSTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

and has had five children, three of whom are living. For the last 
fifteen years, he has resided in Asylum street, on the height of ground 
adjacent to the Ilaili'oad — formerly known as the Sigourney Place — 
one of the most beautiful situations in Hartford. 

CATLIN, Putnam, (son of 'Mr. Eli Catlin,) was born in Litch- 
field, studied law with General Tracy, and was admitted to the bar 
in this town in 178G. lie settled in Montrose, Penn., and there held 
the othce of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He w^as the 
father of George Catlin, the celebrated artist and historian of the 
American Indians, who was himself educated in Litchfield. 

CnUllCII, Samuel, LL. D., a native and former resident of Salis- 
bury, came to Litchfield to reside in 1845, and remained here until 
his death in the autumn of 1854. lie had long been in public life ; 
and, while residing in this town, was cliosen Chief Justice of the State 
and received the degree of Doctor of Laws from Trinity College. 

COLLIER, John Allen, (son of Capt. Thomas Collier, editor 
of the Monitor,) w\as born in Litchfield, Noveml^er 13, 1787; settled 
as a lawyer in Binghamton, Broome county, N, Y., and still resides 
there. He has been a member of Congress, Comptroller of the State, 
Commissioner to revize and codify the laws. Senatorial Elector for 
Presiflent and Vice President of the United States, and Delegate to 
and Chairman of the Whig National Convention of 1848. Mr. Col- 
lier has long been one of the most eminent lawyers of the State of 
New York. He was offered a foreign embassy by President Fillmore. 

COLLIER, General James, (brother of the preceding,) was boi'n 
in Litchfield, May 30, 1789; settled in the State of New York, and 
was Quartermaster and acting Adjutant at the Battle of Queenstown, 
and participated in that fight. In 1819, he removed to Steubenville, 
Ohio, his present residence, where he has held the offices of Colonel, 
Mayor of the city, State's Attorney of the county, and Paymaster 
General of Ohio. A few years since, he was a Commissioner, with 
Thomas Ewing and John Brough, to settle the boundary between 
Ohio and Virginia in conjunction with commissioners from tlie latter 
State. In April, 1849, General Collier was appointed by President 
Fillmore Collector of the Customs for Upper California, with orders 
to take the overland route to the Pacific. He accepted the post, and, 
under the escort of a company of dragoons, started for his field of 
labor. He was five months on his journey, sometimes fighting his way 
through hostile tribes of Indians, who succeeded in killing three of his 
men, wounding another, and stealing twenty-seven mules and all his 
horses. On his arrival at San Francisco, he found the Territory of 
California governed exclusively by military authority. Being the 
only civil ollicer of the federal government on the ground, he was not 
only Collector, Appraiser, Naval Ofiicer and Surveyor, but was obli- 
ged also to perform the duties of Distiict Judge, District Attorney, 
and Marshal. On being recalled by a new national administration, 
he was met with the charge of being a defaulter to the government ; 
but after a vexatious suit, he was fully exonerated by the U. S. Court. 





-?>z:--o^c^^-<>:f 




BTOGIlArHY. 193 

DEMING, Julius, an eminent mcrcliant of Litchfield, was born in 
Lyme, April loth, 1755, and, about the year 1781, commenced 
business in this villa;?e. A gentleman of remarkable energy anden- 
terprize, he soon visited London, and made arrangements to import 
his goods direct from that city — which, probably, was not true of any 
other countiy merchant in Connecticut. lie is universally recogniz- 
ed by our citizens as the most tliorough and successful business man 
who has ever spent his life among us. Prompt in his engagements, 
scrupulously U[)right in his dealings, and discreet and liberal in his 
benefactions, few men in any community ever enjoyed more implicitly 
the confidence of all. Mr. Deming had little taste for public life. He 
was three times elected a member of the House of Representatives, 
and for several years was one of the Magistrates of tliis county. From 
1801 to 1814, he served in the ollice of County Treasurer, His po- 
sition and inlhience were such, that, had he been an aspirant for politi- 
cal honors, there were few olFices within the gift of the people of this 
State which he might not have filled. He died in this town, January 
23, 1838, aged 83 years. 

DEMING', Miner R., (son of Stephen Deming, Esq,) was born 
in Sharon> February 24, 1810; came to Litchfield with his parents in 
1820, and continued to reside here for the next sixteen years. In 
18oG, he removed to Cincinnati; and in 1839, he became a resident 
of St. Mary's, Illinois. As Brigadier General, he was chief in com- 
mand of tlie Illinois State Troops during the famous Mormon War. 
General Deming died suddenly, of brain fever, September 10, 1845, 
while holding the olfice of High Sheriff of Hancock county. For 
some time before leaving Litchfield, he was a member of the First 
Church in this village, and one of the Church Committee. He married 
Abigail Barnum, of Danbury, and left a famil} . 

DUTTON, Henry, LL, D., (of New Haven,) formerly Governor 
of Connecticut, and now Professor of Law in Yale College, was born 
in Plymouth, February 12, 1796. During the following summer, his 
father, Mr. Thomas Dutton, purchased a place in Litchfield (North- 
field Society,) and spent the seven succeeding years in this town, 
The earliest recollections of the Governor are of his Litchfield home. 
In subsequent years, he returned to Northfield, and taught school two 
or threeseasons, before his admission to the bar. 

GAY, Colonel Fisher, (son of John Gay, Esq.,) was born in Litch- 
field, October 9, 1733 ; graduated at Yale College, and settled in 
Farmington, where he was long a Justice of the Peace and Repre- 
sentative. In the early part of the Revolution he commanded a regi- 
ment of Connecticut troops sent for the defense of New York, in 
which city he died in 177G. 

GOULD, James, LL. D., a native of Branford, graduated at Yale 
College in 1791 ; settled in Litchfield,and was associated with Judge 
Gould in conducting the Law School in this town from 1798 to 1820, 
and subsequently, for about thirteen years, he was the solo Principal 
of that institution. From 1816 to 1819, he was a Judge of the Su- 

25 



194 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

preme Court of this State. Gould's Pleading is a standard work in 
all our Courts. He was regarded as one of the profoundest lawyers 
and jurists in the country. The degree of Doctor of Laws was con- 
ferred upon him by his alma mater in 1819. He died May 11, 1838, 
aged 68. Judge Gould married Sally McCurdy, daughter of Gen. 
Uriah Tracy, and had nine children, viz., 1 William Tracy, now a 
Judge in Augusta, Georgia. 2 Henry G. 3 James R. 4 Edward 
S. 5 George, of Troy ; now a Judge of the Supreme Court of New 
York. 6 Julia. 7 Charles, of New York city ; late President of the 
Chicago, Alton and St. Louis Railroad Company, President of the 
Cumberland Coal and Iron Company, President of the Burns Club, 
&;c. 8 John. 9 Robert Howe, of London. 

HOLMES, Uriel, Jr., a native of Hartland, graduated at Yale 
College in 1784, and settled in Litchfield as a lawyer a few years 
subsequently. He was elected a Representative nine times, was a 
Judge of the Litchfield County Court from 1814 to 1817, and during 
the latter year he was chosen a member of Congress. While residing 
in Litchfield, he was thrown from his carriage in Canton, from the 
effects of Avhich he died. May 18, 1827, aged 62. Judge Holmes 
married a daughter of the Hon. Aaron Austin, and had three children, 
viz, 1 Henry, M. D., a distinguished physician in Hartford. 2 Uriel, 
who died July 4, 1818, while a member of the Theological Seminary 
at Andover. 3 Caroline, died young. 

HUNTINGTON, Charles P., (son of the Rev. Dan Huntington,) 
was born in Litchfield, March 24th. 1802; graduated at Harvard 
College in 1822; settled as a lawyer in Northampton, Mass., and 
represented that town in the Legislature in 1834, 1837, 1843, 1852 
and 1855 — and at the last session named, was chairman of the Ju- 
diciary Committee. In 1855, he was appointed Judge of the Supe- 
rior Court for the Suffolk District, which embraces the city of Boston. 
Judge Huntington now lives in the vicinity of Boston. 

HUNTINGTON, Jabez W., a native of Norwich, graduated at 
Yale College in 1806 ; came to Litchfield as a teacher, and student 
at law, in 1807, and continued to reside here until October 1834, 
when he returned to Norwich — and died there in 1847, in his 60th 
year. While a resident of Litchfield, he was elected a Representa- 
tive, member of Congress, and Judge of the Superior Court. From 
1840 until his death he was a member of the U. S. Senate. 

KILBOURN, Colonel Charles, (son of Mr. David Kilbourn,) 
was born in Litchfield, March 3, 1758 ; fled to Canada in the revo- 
lution, and finally settled near Lake Memphremagog, in Stanstead, 
L. C, where he erected mills of various kinds. The locality still 
bears the name of Kilbourn^ s Mills on many English and American 
maps. In the war of 1812, he commanded a corps of provincial troops 
known as the Frontier Light Infantry. He was also for many years 
a magistrate, and Justice of the Commissionrrs Court. Colonel Kil- 
bourn died in Stanstead, June 19, 1834, aged 76. 



BIOGRAPHY. 195 

KIRBY, Epliraim, (son of Mr. Abraham Kirby,) was born in 
Litchfield, Februnry 22, 1757 ; studied law and settled in his native 
town. He was often chosen a Representative ; appointed Supervisor 
of the National Revenue for the State of Connecticut in 1801, and 
U. S. Judge for the Territory of Louisiana in 1804. jWhile on his 
way to New Orleans, whither the duties of his office called him, he 
died at Fort Stoddard, Mississippi Territory, October 2d, 1804, aged 
47. Col. Kirby married Ruth, daughter of Reynold Marvin, Esq., 
and left eight children. 

KIRBY, Reynold M., Major U. S. A., (son of the preceding,) was 
born in Litchfield, March 13, 1790. For many years before his 
death, he was Assistant Adjutant General of the Army. 

KIRBY, Edmund, Colonel U. S. A., (brother of the preceding,) 
was born in Litchfield, April 8, 1794 ; entered the army as a Lieu- 
tenant in 1812 ; appointed aid-de-camp to his father-in-law. Major 
General Brown ; served in the Blackhawk, Creek and Seminole wars ; 
was chief of the Pay Department, and aid-de-camp to the command- 
er-in-chief, during, the late war with Mexico. lie died at Avon 
Springs, N. Y., August 20, 1849, aged 55. On the election of Pres- 
ident Taylor, Colonel Kirby was frequently referred to in the public 
prints as a probable member of the new Cabinet. 

MORRIS, James, Jr., was born in Litchfield, January 19, 1752, 
and graduated at Yale College ; was a Captain in the Revolution, and 
with his company headed one of the columns that led the foilorn 
hope at the Siege of Yorktown. After the war, he settled in his na- 
tive parish. South Farms, and was for many years a Justice of the 
Peace and Representative ; and was also the Founder and Principal 
of Morris Academy — an institution which became famous throughout 
the country. Captain Morris died in this town, September 9, 1814. 

OS BORN, Rev. Ethan, (son of Captain John Osborn,) was born 
in Litchfield, August 21, 1758 ; graduated at Dartmouth College 
in 1784; and was settled as pastor of the congregational church in 
Fairfield, N. J., in 1789. In this small rural parish, Mr. Osborn 
married 70G couple, attended the funerals of 1500 persons, admitted 
to his church about 600 members, baptized 1146 persons, and preach- 
ed 10,164 sermons. His last sermon was preached in 1855, when in 
his 97th year. On Sunday, January 24, 1858, he attended service, 
addressed the audience in an appropriate manner, and made the 
concluding prayer — he then being 99 years and 5 months old. He 
died in Fairfield, May 1, 1858, in his 100th year. He was pastor of 
the church in that place 54 years. 

PECK, John M., D. D., (son of Mr. Asa Peck,) was born in Litch- 
field, October 31, 1789, and became a celebrated Baptist preacher in 
Illinois. He' was a diligent student, and wrote and published much 
— especially in relation to the history of the Valley of the Mississippi. 
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Har- 
vard College in 1853. Dr. Peck was an eloquent pulpit orutor, and 
one of the most popular men in Illinois — so much so that the whig 
party of that State once nominated him as their candidate for Gov- 
ernor. He died at his residence in Rock Spring. 111., in 1858. 



I'JG UlSTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

PECK, William V., of Port8moutli, Ohio, one of the present Judges 
of the Supreme Court of that State, was boi-n of Litchfield parents in 
Cayuga county. New York, where his father, (Mr. Virgil Peck,) 
died during his infancy. When the subject of this paragraph was 
three years old, his motlier returned with him to this town, and sub- 
sequently married Dr. Abel Catlin, in whose family he was brought 
up. After spending about twenty years in this village, he settled as 
a lawyer in Ohio. 

PECK, Professor William G., (son of Mr. Alfred Peck,) was born 
in Litchtield, October 16, 1820 ; graduated at West Point, where he 
was for a few years Assistant Professor of Mathematics. As Lieu- 
tenant of Topographical Engineers in the U. S. Army, he was asso- 
ciated with Colonel Fremont in his celebrated Exploring Expeditions, 
tie has since been a Professor in the University of Michigan ; and is 
now Professor of JMathematics in Columbia College, New York. He 
married Elizabeth M., daughter of Professor Charles Davies, LL. D. 

PHELPS, Samuel Shether, (son of Captain John Phelii?,) was 
born on Chestnut Hill, in the house now owned and occupied by Mr. 
Willis Law, May 13, 1793 ; graduated at Yale College and the Litch- 
field Law School, and settled in Middlebury, Vermont. Having been 
successively a Paymaster in the war of 1812, aid-de-camp to Governor 
Galusha, Colonel, member of the Council of Sensors, member of the 
Legislative Council, and Judge of the Supreme Court, he Avas elected 
a Senator in Congress in 1838 — an office which held for 12 years. 
As a lawyer and statesman, he ranked with Clay, Webster, Critten- 
den and Clayton. Judge Phelps died in 1857. 

PIERCE, Colonel John, (son of Mr. John Pierce, of Litchfield,) 
early entered the public service, and rose to the rank of Paymaster 
General in the Army, and was a Commissioner for settling the ac- 
counts of the army. Though his parents never resided out of Litch- 
field after their marriage, Colonel Pierce is said to have been born 
at the house of his maternal grandfather, Major John Patterson, in 
Farmington. Colonel P. died in New York, August 6, 1788. He 
was a brother of the late Miss Sarah Pierce, Founder and Principal 
of the Litchfield Female Academy. 

PIERPONT, John, (son of Mr: James Pierpont,) was born in 
Litclifield, April G, 17iS5 ; graduated at Yale College and at the 
Litchfield Law School, and settled in Newburyport, Massachusetts, 
as a lawyer. Abandoning the legal profession, he entered the ministry 
of the Unitarian denomination, and was for many years pastor of 
the Ilollis-street church, Boston. He is alike distinguished as a poet, 
preacher and lecturer. Several editions of his Airs of Palestine, as 
well as of his other poems, have been published. Mr. Pierpont now 
resides in Medford, Mass. 

PIERPONT, Robert, (son of Mr. David Pierpont,) was born in 
Litchfield, May 4, 1701 ; studied law, and settled in Rutland, Ver- 
mont, his present residence. He has been Lieutenant Govternor of 
that State, and Judge of the Supreme Court. 



BIOGRAPHY. I'J? 

PIKRPONT, John, (brother of tlic preceding,) was Ijorn in Litoli- 
iicld, September 10, 1805 ; graduated at the Law School in this town, 
and settled in Vergennes, Vermont. He is now a, Judge of the Su- 
])reme Court of that State, and has held various other offices. 

SEDGWICK, Albert, was born in Cornwall Hollow in the year 
1802; removed to Litchtield in 1830, and continued to reside liere 
for the succeeding 25 years. In 1834, he was appointed High Slier- 
iif of this county, an oihce which he continued to hold (with the ex- 
ception of one term of three years,) until 1854 — when he was ap- 
pointed by the Legislature Commissioner of the School Fund of Con- 
necticut: In 1 855, he removed to Hartford, his present residence. 

SP:YM0UR, Horatio, LL. D., (son of Major Moses Seymour,) 
was born in Litehlield, May 31st, 1778 ; graduated at Yale College 
and at the Litchfield Law School ; and settled in Middlebury, Vt., 
where he died a year or two since. He w\as a member of the State 
Council i'rom 1809 to 181G ; and of the United States Senate from 
1821 to 1833. In 1834, he was the AVhig candidate for Governor 
of Vermont, but the anti-masonic candidate was elected. He was 
also for a few years Judge of Probate. Judge Seymour received the 
degree of Doctor of Laws from his alma mater in. 1847. 

SEYMOUR, Henry, (brother of the preceding,) was born in Litch- 
field, May 30, 1780 ; settled as a merchant at Porapey, Onondaga 
county, N. Y., where he became wealthy. Removing to Utica, he 
died there, August 26, 1837. He was a Representative, Sentttor, 
Canal Commissioner, Mayor of Utica, and President of the P\irmers' 
Loan and Trust Company. The Hon. Horatio Seymour, LL. D., 
late Governor of New York, is his son. 

SEYMOUR, Origen Storrs, (son of Ozias Seymour, Esq., and 
grandson of Major Seymour,) was born in Litchfield, Feb. 9, 1804 ; 
graduated at Yale College in 1824; settled as a lawyer in his na- 
tive town. He has been a Representative, Speaker of the House, 
and member of Congress, and is now a Judge of the Superior Court. 

SHELDON, Daniel, Jr., (son of Dr. Daniel Sheldon,) was born in 
the adjoining town of AVashington in 1780, and during the following 
year his parents removed to Litchfield ; and here the subject of this 
sketch continued to reside until he entered public life. Graduating at 
the Litchfield Law School in 1799, he accepted a clerkship in the 
Treasury Department, and i-etained it until the appointment of Mr. 
Gallatin as Ambassador to France, when he was nominated and con- 
firmed as Secretary of Legation to that country. "When the Ambas- 
sador was re-called, Mr. Sheldon remained in France as Charge (V 
Affaires until the arrival of Mr. Gallatin's successor. He died in 
Marseilles, April 14, 1828, aged 48. His funeral was attended by 
all the foreign miuisters and consuls present in the city, and the flags 
of all the American ships in port were placed at half-mast. 

SKINNER, Roger, (son of Gen. Timothy Skinner,) was born in 
Litchfield, June 10, 1773; became a lawyer, and removed from this 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 198 

town to Sandy Hill, N. Y., in 1806, where he was elected a Eepesen- 
tative in 1810, 1811 and 1812, and a Senator from 1818 to 1821. 
In 1820, he was a member of the Council of Appointment ; from 
1815 to 1819, U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York ; 
and from 1819 until his death. Judge of the U. S. District Court. 
On being appointed Judge, he became a resident of Albany, at which 
place he died August 19, 1825. Pie was an intimate friend of the 
Hon. Martin Van Buren, who, in a recent letter to the author, says — 
" Being a widower myself, and he a bacheloi", we twice kept house 
together, and did so at the period of his lamented death. I was with 
him through his last illness, held his hand when he died, and mourned 
for him as for a sincere and affectionate friend." The visit of Mr. 
Van Buren to this town, with Mr. S., about 1820, is well remembered. 

SKINNER, Richard, LL. D., ' (brother of the preceding,) was 
born in Litchfield, May 30, 1778 ; graduated at the Law School in 
his native town, and settled in Manchester, Vermont in 1800. He 
became State's Attorney, Speaker of the House, Judge of Pi'obate, 
member of Congress, Chief Justice of the State, and Governor. He 
received the degree of LL. D. from Middlebury college. Governor 
Skinner died in Middlebury, May 23, 1833, aged 55. 

TALLMADGE, Frederick A., (son of Colonel Benjamin Tall- 
madge,) was born in Litchfield, August 29, 1792 ; graduated at Yale 
College in 1811 ; and settled as a lawyer in New York city — his 
present residence. From 1834 to 1836 he was an Alderman; from 
1836 to 1840, a member of the State Senate, of which body he was 
elected President; from 1840 to 1845, and from 1848 to 1853, he 
was Recorder of the City, and Chief Justice of the Police Court ; 
and from 1846 to 1848, he was a member of Congress. For two or 
three years past, Mr. Tallmadge has held the olfice of Superinten- 
dent of Police in New York — a very important and responsible post. 

TRACY, General Uriah, a native of Norwich and a graduate of 
Yale College, settled as a lawyer in Litchfield in 1780, and here spent 
his entire professional life. He was a Representative at nine ses- 
sions, member of Congress three years, and U. S. Senator eleven 
years ; and rose to the rank of Major General of militia. He was one 
of the most brilliant men of his day. General Tracy died in Wash- 
ington city in 1807, and was the first person buried in the congress- 
ional cemetery. 

WELCH, John, (son of Major David Welch,) was born in Litch- 
field, September 23, 1759; graduated at Yale College in 1778; set- 
tled as a merchant in his native town, [and continued to reside here 
until liis death, which took place December 26, 1845. He was suc- 
cessively a Justice of the Peace, Representative, Senator, member of 
the Constitutional Convention, Associate Judge of the County Court, 
and a candidate for Congress. He was successful in business, and 
left a large estate. 



<'y'i'4m 





BIOGRAPHY. 199 

WOLCOTT, Oliver, Jr., LL. D., was born in Litchfield, January 
11, 1760 ; and died in New York, June 2, 1833. He graduated at 
Yale College, and was successively Comptroller of this State, Auditor 
and Secretary of the United States Treasury, Judge of the United 
States Circuit Court, President of the Bank of America, President of 
the Constitutional Convention of Connecticut, and Governor of his 
native State from 1817 to 1827. He was one of the most illustrious 
statesmen of the early days of the republic — the intimate friend and 
adviser of Washington, Adams and Hamilton ; and, for some time 
previous to his decease, he was the last surviving member of Wash- 
ington's Cabinet. 

WOLCOTT, Frederick, (brother of the preceding,) was born in 
Litchfield, November 2, 1767; graduated at Y'ale College in 1787, 
and died in his native town May 28, 1837. For more than forty 
years he was constantly in public life — as Clerk of the Courts, Judge 
of Probate, Representative, member of the State Council, Senator, 
etc. No man ever lived in the town who enjoyed more implicitly 
the confidence of the public. There was a dignity and nobleness in 
his person and manner which left their impress on all who came 
within the sphere of his influence. 

WOODRUFF, General Morris, (son of Mr. James Woodruff,) was 
born in Litchfield, September 3, 1777; educated at Morris Academy, 
and was bred a merchant. He commenced his mercantile life with 
Messrs. David Leavitt and Simeon Harrison ; and after his con- 
nection with them was dissolved, he prosecuted the business chiefly 
on his own account for many years. He was through life much em- 
ployed as Executor, Administrator, and Commissioner, in settling 
estates, and as Arbitrator, Auditor and Committee appointed by the 
Courts. He was an active and influential member of the church and 
ecclesiastical society, and of the community generally to which he be- 
longed; repeatedly discharged the duties of various public offices; 
represented the town of Litchfield in the Legislature fourteen sessions, 
and was a magistrate of the county twenty-six years. In 1818, he 
was appointed Brigadier General of the Sixth Brigade ; and in 1824, 
the Legislature appointed him Major General of the Third Division. 
From 1829^ until his death — a period of eleven years — he held the 
office of a Judge of the Couny Court, and that of Commissioner which 
succeeded it ; and in November, 1832, he was chosen by the voters 
of the State at large, an Elector of President and Vice President of 
the United States. In all the affairs of life. General Woodruff was 
distinguished by great activity, energy, perseverance, accuracy and 
fidelity to whatever trust he assumed. Of high integrity himself, he 
was stern in requiring from others observance of its dictates. Ready 
to do justice to others ; keenly alive to every sense of wrong ; pene- 
trating in his scrutiny into the conduct and motives of others ; con- 
vincing rather than persuasive in his intercourse with men, he impelled 
their concurrence in his views by producing confidence in the sound- 
ness of his judgment and the correctness of his purposes. He was 



200 HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

Steadfast in his friendships, and few men retain with equal warmth 
the intimacies begun in early years. The associates of his boyhood 
were through life his most confiding and devoted friends. The de- 
pendance of his neighbors and friends on him for advice and assistance 
was very great, their confidence was never abused, their reliance nev- 
er failed ; and so his means of usefulness among them were large, and 
his influence extensive. In his domestic relations he was affectionate 
and knid — inflexible in retaining a high standard of both filial and 
parental duty — and never failed to show that the highest good of 
those who were dependent upon him, was his invariable motive in all 
his intercourse with them. General Woodruff was nearly six feet in 
lieight, stout, erect, active, and of more than ordinary physical 
strength. Of robust aud vigorous frame and sound constitution, his 
health was rarely interrupted, and promise of a green old age 
seemed singularly certain, But in the spring of 1839, his system 
received a shock followed by an affection of the liver, under which he 
declined, and on the 17th of May, 1840, he died — illustrating in his 
dying hour the peace and consolation of the Christian's hope and con- 
fidence in the Saviour in whose church on earth he had been num- 
bered for many years. His remains are interred in our East Bury- 
ing-Ground, where a handsome monument has been erected to his 
memory. General Woodruff married Candace, eldest daughter of 
Lewis Catlin, Esq., of Ilarwinton. Their children were — 1 George 
C, who still resides in Litchfield, and is well known to our readei's 
as a prominent member of the Bar of Litchfield county. 2. Lucy 
M., m. Hon. O. S. Seymour, of Litchfield. 3 Lewis B., Judge of the 
Superior Court for the city of New York. 4. Reuben M., M. D., a 
pliysician of high attainments, died young in 1849. 5 James, died in 
infancy. 

WOODRUFF, Clark, (brother of the preceding,) was born in 
Litchfield, August 23, 1791, and was educated at Morris Academy. 
In 1810, he left his native town, and, passing down the Ohio and 
Mississippi rivers, he soon established himself as a lawyer in St. 
Francisville, in the present State of Louisiana. For many years he 
was reputed one of the ablest, most eloquent and successful advocates 
at the bar ; and in the spring of 1828, he was appointed Judge 
of the Eightli Judicial District of the State of Louisiana. He also 
held the olfiee of State Auditor, and Commissioner charged with tlie 
subject of Public Improvements in that State, in which he took an 
active interest. He was also a Trustee af Louisiana College. On 
resigning his judgeship, he removed to New Orleans, where he resi- 
ded until a short time previous to his death. He departed this life 
at his country seat at Carrollton, on the ^Mississippi, about six miles 
above that city, on the 25th of November, 1851. Judge AVoodruff 
was a polished, courtly gentleman, of fine address, pleasing manners, 
and cultivated mind. He married Matilda Bradford, of St. Francis- 
ville, a highly accomplished lady, by whom he had three children. 
The only survivor, Mrs. Octavia Besancjon, now lives at Carrollton 
at the late residence of her father. 



APPENDIX. 



Colonial i\\\h ^Mt dicers at (!^,oiinfttiait, 

[Complete, from 1635 t<? 1S59.] 

AUyn, John, Secretary of State 

Andros, Sir Edmund, Governor 

Backus, Tliomas, Lieut. GoveniGr 

Baldwin, Roger S., Governor 

Baldwin, Edward Law, Executive Secretary, 1844 

Barnard, Henry, Supt. Common Schools, 

Beard.slee, Cyrus H., Executive Secretary 

Beers, Seth P.,* School Fund Commissioner 

Beers, Seth P.,* Supt. Common Schools 

Betts, Thaddeus, Lieutenant Governor 

Birge, Alonzo W., Treasurer 

Bissell, Clark, Governor 

Bissell, George A., Executive Seci'etary 

Billings, Noyes, Lieut, Governor 

Bishop, James, Deputy Governor 

Booth, Reuben,t Lieut. Governor 

Boyd,, John,* Secretary of State 

Brown, Jeremiah, Treasurer 

Bradley, Charles W., Secretary of State 

Buckingham, William A., Governor 

Buell, William IL, Comptroller 

Burnham, Alfred A., Lieut. Governor 

Burr, Peter, Deputy Governor 

Calef, Arthur, Treasurer 

Camp, Daniel W., Treasurer 

Camp, David N., Supt. Common Schools 

Carrington, Abijah, Comptroller 

Catlin, Abijah,* Comptroller 

Catlin, Abijah,* School Fund Commissioner 

Catlin, George S.,t Executive Secretary 

Catlin, Julius,t Lieutenant Governor 

Clarke, Daniel, Secretary of State 

Clarke, Thomas, Treasurer 



5t chosen. 


No. years. 


1(5(34 


31 


1687 


2 


1849 


1 


1844 


2 


1844 


2 


1849 


5 


1827 


•i 


1825 


24 


184.5 


4 


1834 


I 


1846 


1 


1847 


2 


1847 


2 


184G 


1 


1683 


7 


1844 


2 


1858 


2 


1835 


3 


1846 


1 


1858 


2 


1858 


2 


1857 


1 


1723 


2 


1855 


I 


1854 


I 


1857 


2 


1844 


2 


1847 


3 


1851 


1 


1831 


2 


1858 


2 


1658 


8 


1851 


1 



202 HISTORY OF LITCHHELD. 

Cleveland, Chauncey F., Governor 
Cleveland, Mason, Comptroller 
Cleveland, Mason, Sch. Fund Commissioner 
Coe, Frederick P., Treasurer 
Colt, Elisha, Comptroller 
Colt, Peter, Treasurer 
Cullick, John, Secretary of Slate 
Day, Albert, Lieutenant Governor 
Day, Thomas,* Secretary of State, 
Dunham, John, Comptroller 
Dutton, Henry,t Governor 
Edwards, Henry W., Governor 
Ellsworth, "William Wolcott, Governor 
Ellsworth, Pinckney W., Executive Secretary 1838 
Erving, R. Augustus, E)xecutive Secretary 
Field, William, Comptroller 
Field, William, Lieut, Governor 
Fitch, Thomas, Dej)uty Govornqr 
Fitch, Thomas, Governor 
Foote, Samuel A., Governor 
Foote, Joseph F., Executive Secretary 
Gilbert, Joseph B., Ti-casurer 
Gold, Nathan, Deputy Governor 
Goodrich, Chauncey, Lieut. Governor 
Graves, Henry B.,* Executive Secretary 
Grisvvold, JNfatthew, Lieut. Governor 
• Grisvvold, Matthew, Governor 
Griswold, Roger, Lieut. Governor 
Griswold, Roger, Governor 
Hawley, Charles, Lieut. Governor 
Haynes, John, Deputy Governor 
Haynes, John, Governor 
Hilihou^e, James, School Fund Commissioner 
Hitchcock, William R., Executive Secretary 
Hinman, Royal R.,* Secretary of State 
Hoadly, Ciiarles J., State Librarian 
Holabird, William S..* Lieut. Governor 
Holley, Alexander H.,* Lieut. Governor 
Holley. Alexander H.,* Governor 
Hopkins, Edward, Secretary of State 
Hopkins, P^dward, Deputy Governor 
Hopkins, Edward, Governor 
Hovey, James A., Executive Secretary 
Huntington, Jabez W,.* Executive Secretary 
Huntington, Jedediah, Treasurer 
Huntington, Samuel, Lieut. Governor 
Huntington, Samuel, Governor 
Huntington, Roger, Comptroller 
• Ingeraoll, Jonathan, Lieut. Governor 



1842 


2 


1846 


1 


1854 


1 


1856 


1 


1806 


13 


1789 


5 


1648 


10 


1856 


1 


1810 


25 


1854 


1 


1854 


1 


1833 


4 


1838 


4 


1838 


4 


1850 


3 


1836 


2 


1855 


1 


1750 


4 


1754 


12 


1834 


1 


1854 


2 


1844 


4 


1708 


16 


1813 


2 


1854 


1 


1769 


15 


1784 


2 


1809 


2 


1811 


1 


1838 


4 


1640 


5 


1639 


8 


1810 


15 


1834 


1 


1835 


7 


1856 


3 


1842 


2 


1854 


1 


1857 


1 


1639 


1 


1643 


6 


1640 


• 7 


1842 


2 


1820 


7 


1789 


1 


1784 


2 


1780 


10 


1834 


1 


1816 


7 



COLONIAL AND STATE OFFICER^?. 



203 



Jones, William, Deputy Governor 

Kendrick, Green, Lieut. Governor 

Kilbouni, Henry, Comptroller 

Kilbourn, P. K.,* Executive Secretary 

Kimberly. Eleazer, Secretary of State 

Kingsbury, Andrew, Comptroller 

Kingsbury, Andrew, Treasurer 

Lamb, Joseph G., Comptroller 

Law, Jonathan, Deputy Governor 

Law, Jonathan, Governor 

Lawrence, John, Treasurer 

Leet, William, Deputy Governor 

Leet, William, Governor 

Ludlow, Roger, Deputy Governor 

McCurdy, Charles J., Lieut. Governor 

Mason, John, Deputy Governor 

Mather, John P. C, Secretary of State 

Merrill, Alexander, Comptroller 

Mills, Roger H., Secretary of State 

Minor, William T., Governor 

Mix, Silas, Executive Secretary 

Palmer, John C, School Fund Commissioner 

Pardee, Dwight W., Executive Secretary 

Perry, Oliver H., Secretary of State 

Peters, John S., Lieut. Governor 

Peters, John S., Governor 

Phelps, Elisha, Comptroller 

Phelps, Noah A., Secretary of State 

Philbrick, John D., Supt Common Schools 

Pinney, Rufus G., Comptroller 

Pitkin, William, Treasurer 

Pitkin, William, Deputy Governor 

Pitkin, William, Governor 

Plant, David, Lieutenant Governor 

Piatt, Orville H.,t Secretary of State 

Pomeroy, Ralph, Comptroller 

Pond, Charles IL, Lieut. Governor 

Pond, Charles IL, Governor 

Porter, John, Comptroller 

Prentis, Edward, Treasurer 

Rider, Hiram, Ti-easurer 

Robertson, John B., Secretary of State 

Robinson, L. F., Executive Secretary 

Saltonstall, Gurdon, Governor 

Sedgwick, Albert,* School Fund Commiss'r 

Seymour, Thomas H., Governor 

Smith, Henry D., Treasurer 

Smith, John Cotton,* Lieut. Governor 

Smith, John Cotton,* Governor 



1692 


5 


1851 


1 


1838 


4 


1857 


1 


1696 


13 


1791 


3 


1794 


24 


1857 


1 


1724 


17 


1741 


9 


17G9 


19 


1669 


7 


1676 


7 


1639 


3 


1847 


2 


1660 


9 


1850 


3 


1855 


1 


1849 


1 


1855 


2 


1833 


4 


1850 


2 


1846 


1 


1854 


1 


1827 


4 


1831 


2 


1830 


4 


1842 


2 


1855 


2 


1850 


3 


1678 


1 


1754 


12 


1766 


3 


1823 


4 


1857 


1 


1789 


2 


1850 


3 


1853 


1 


1794 


12 


1856 


1 


1838 


4 


1847 


2 


1849 


1 


1707 


17 


1854 


5 


1850 


3 


1850 


1 


1811 


2 


1813 


4 



201 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 



Spencer, Isaac, Treasurer 

Sperry, Nehemiali D., Secretary of State 

Stanley, Caleb, Secretary of Stale 

Stanley, Nathaniel, Treasurer 

Stoddard, Ebenezer, Lieut. Governor 

Stearns, Edwin, Treasurer 

Talcott, John, Treasurer 

Talcott, John, (Jr,) Treasurer 

Talcott, Joseph, Deputy Governor 

Talcott, Joseph, Governor 

Talcott, Joseph, Treasurer 

Thomas, James, Comptroller 

Tomlinson, Gideon, Governor 

Toucey, Isaac^ Governor 

Treadwell, John, Lieut. Governor 

Treadwell, John, Governor, 

Treat, Robei't, Deputy Governor 

Treat, Robert, Governor 

Trumbull, Jonathan, Deputy Governor 

Trumbull, Jonathan, Governor 

Trumbull, Jonathan, (Jr,) Lieut. Governor 

Trumbull, Jonathan, (Jr,) Governor 

Trumbull, Gurdon, Sch. Fund Commissioner 

Trumbull, Joseph, Governor 
Trumbull, J. Hammond, State Librarian 
Tyler, Daniel P., Secretary of State 
Wadsworth, James, Comptroller 
Warner, Samuel L., Executive Secretary 
"Waldo, Loren P., Sch. Fund Commissioner 
Webster, John, Deputy Governor 
Webster, John, Governor 
Weed, Hiram, Secretary of State 
Welles, Thomas, Treasurer 
Welles, Thomas, Secretary of State 
Welles, Thomas, Deputy Governor 
Welles, Thomas, Governor 
Welles, Gideon, Comptroller 
White, Jabez L., Treasurer 
Whiting, William, Treasurer 
Whiting, Joseph, do. 
Whiting, John, do. . 

Wildman, Frederick S., Treasurer 
AVinthrop, John, Deputy Governor 
Winthrop, John, Governor 
Winthrop, Fitz John, Governor 
Wolcott, Roger, Deputy Governor 
Wolcott, Roger, Governor 
Wolcott, Oliver,* Lieut. Governor 



1818 


16 


1855 


2 


1709 


o 


1749 


6 


1833 


4 


1852 


2 


1652 


7 


1659 


19 


1724 


— 


1724 


17 


1755 


14 


1819 


11 


1827 


4 


1846 


1 


1798 


11 


1809 


2 


1676 


17 


1683 


13 


1766 


3 


1769 


15 


1796 


2 


1798 


11 


1850 


1 


1849 


1 


1854 


2 


1844 


2 


1786 


2 


1853 


1 


1852 


1 


1655 


1 


1656 


1 


1850 


(died) 


16S9 


5 


1640 


8 


1654 


4 


1655 


2 


1835 


3 


1842 


2 


1641 


7 


1679 


3 


1718 


21 


1857 


1 


1658 


1 


1657 


9 


1698 


9 


1741 


9 


1750 


4 


1786 


10 



JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT. 205 



Wolcott, Oliver,* Governor 
Wolcott, Oliver, (Jr.)* Comptroller 
AVolcott, Oliver, (Jr,)* Governor 
Wyllys, George, Deputy Governor 
Wyllys, George, Governor 
Wyllys, Ilezekiuh, Secretary of State 
Wyllys, George, do. do. 

Wyllys, Samuel, do. do, 

* Chosen from Litchfield co. t Natives of 



179G 


2 


1788 


1 


1817 


10 


1641 


1 


1642 


1 


1712 


23 


173") 


61 


1796 


14 


! CO. but residing 


elsevN 



Siipeiiar dl^autt anb <§u|)rcme Court at (txxm. 
CHIEF JUSTICES. 

[Previous to 1784, the Deputy Governors were the Chief Justices.] 

First cliosen. No. years. 
Samuel Huntington, Norwich 
Richard Law, New London 
Eliphalet Dyer, Windham 
Andrew Adams, Litchfield 
Jesse Root, Coventry 
Stephen Mix Mitchell, Wethersfield 
Tapping Reeve, Litchfield 
Zephaniah Swift, Windham 
Stephen Titus Hosmer, Middletown 
David Daggett, New Haven 
Thomas S. Williams, Hartford 
Samuel Church, Litchfield 
Henry M. Waite, Lyme 
William L. Storrs, Hartford 



1784 


1 


1785 


4 


1789 


4 


1793 


5 


1798 


9 


1807 


7 


1814 


1 


1815 


4 


1819 


14 


1833 


1 


1834 


13 


1847 


7 


1854 


2 


1856 


in office, 



ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 



William Pitkin, Ilartford 

Richard Christophers, New London 

Peter Burr, Fairfield 

Samuel Eells, Milford 

John Haynes, Hartford 

Jonathan Law, Milford 

John Hamlin, Middletown 

Joseph Talcott, Hartford 

Matthew Allyn, Windsor 

John Hooker, Farmington 



First diosen. 


No, vear* 


1711 


2 


1711 


21 


1711 


7 


1711 


29 


1713 


1 


1715 


9 


171G 


G 


1721 


1 


1723 


9 


1728 


9 



206 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 



James Wadswortli, Durham 
IJoger Wolcott, AVindsor 
Joseph Whiting, New Plaven 
Elisha Williams, Wethersfield 
William Pitkin, Hartford, 
Ebenezer Silliman, Fairfield 
John Bulkley, Colchester 
Samuel Lynde, Saybrook 
Daniel Edwards, Hartford 
Roger Wolcott, Jr. Windsor 
Jonathan Trumbull, Lebanon 
Joseph Fowler, Lebanon 
Benjamin Hall, Wallingford 
Robert Walker, Stratford 
Matthew Griswold. Lyme 
Eliphalet Dyer, Windham 
Roger Sherman, New Haven 
William Pitkin, Hartford 
Wm. Samuel Johnson, Stratford 
Samuel Huntington, Norwich 
Richard Law, New London 
Oliver Ellsworth, Windsor 
Andrew Adams, Litchfield 
Jesse Root, Coventry 
Charles Chauncey, New Haven 
Erastus Wolcott, East Windsor 
Jonathan Sturges, Fairfield 
Benjamin Huntington, Norwich 
Ashur Miller, Middletown 
Stephen Mix Mitchell, Middletown 
Jonathan Ingersoll, New Haven 
Tapping Reeve, Litchfield 
Zephaniah Swift, Windham 
John Trumbull, Hartford 
William Edmond, Newtown 
Nathaniel Smith, Woodbury 
Jeremiah G. Brainard, New London 
Simeen Baldwin, New Haven 
Roger Griswold, Lyme 
John Cotton Smith, Sharon 
Calvin Goddard, Norwich 
Stephen Titus Hosmer, Middletown 
James Gould, Litchfield 
John T. Peters, Hartford 
Asa Chapman, New Haven 
William Bristol, New Haven 
James Lanman, Norwich 
David Daggett, New Haven 
Thomas S. Williams, Hartford 



1725 


27 


1732 


9 


1732 


13 


1740 


3 


1741 


13 


1743 


23 


1745 


8 


1752 


3 


1753 


10 


1754 


5 


1754 


declined) 


1754 


6 


1759 


7 


1760 


12 


1765 


4 


1766 


23 


1766 


23 


1769 


20 


1772 


1 


1773 


11 


1784 


1 


1785 


4 


1789 


4 


1780 


9 


1789 


4 


1789 


3 


1792 


13 


1792 


6 


1793 


2 


1795 


12 


1798 


8 


1798 


16 


1801 


14 


1801 


18 


1805 


14 


1806 


13 


1806 


23 


1808 


12 


1807 


2 


1809 


2 


1815 


3 


1815 


3 


1816 


3 


1818 


16 


1818 


7 


1819 


7 


1826 


3 


1826 


7 


1829 


5 



COMMISSIONERS OF THE SUPERIOR COURT. 207 

Clark Blssell, Norwalk 1829 10 

Samuel Church, Litchfield 1833 14 

Jabez W. Huntington, Litchfield 1834 G 

Henry M. Waite, Lyme 1834 20 

Roger M. Sherman, Fairfield 1839 3 

WiTliam L. Storrs, Hartford 1840 IG 

Joel Flinman, New Haven 1842 in office. 

William W. Ellsworth, Hartford 1847 „ 

David C. Sanford, New Milford 1854 „ 

Thomas B. Butler, Norwalk 1855 „ 

Origen S. Seymour, Litchfield 1855 „ 

John D. Park, Norwich 1855 „ 

Loren P. Waldo, Tolland 1855 

Charles J. McCurdy, Lyme 185G „ 

COMMISSIONERS OF THE SUPERIOR COURT. 



[Appointed by the Court for tlie term of two years. This office was created in 1 854 | 



Birdsey Baldwin, Cornwall. 
J. H. Beach, Plymouth. 
Seth P. Beers, Litchfield. 
Frederick D. Beeman, Litchfield. 
Merritt Bronson, New Hartford. 
Edward Carrington, Colebrook. 
William Cothren, Woodbury. 
George L. Fields, Watertown. 
Wait Garrett, New Hartford, 
Joseph I. Gay lord, Goshen. 
Albert N. Hodge, Roxbury. 
Carlos Holcomb, New Hartford. 
John H. Hubbard, Litchfield. 
P. K. Kilbourn, Litchfield. 
Leister Loomis, Barkhamsted. 
Charles P. Lyman, Barkhamsted. 
Stephen D, Mann, New Hartford. 
John G. Mitchell, Salisbury. 
William L. Ransom, Litchfield. 
John G. Reid, Kent. 
Jhon H. Russell, Salisbury. 
Henry S. Sanford, New Milford. 
Edward W. Seymour, Litchfield. 
Nathaniel Smith, Woodburv. 
Oliver A. G. Todd, New Milford. 
John S. Turrell, New Milford. 
George Wheaton, Cornwall. 
Walter R. Whittlesey, Salisbury. 



208 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 



lustitcs of tk Ijcacc for tlie douiitn at f ittlitifltr, 

EESIDING IN THE TOWN OF LITCHFIELD. 



[Complete Roll, from the organization of the County to the present time. Uu- 
til 1851, all Justices of the Peace in Connecticut were appointed annually by the 
Legislature. They arc now elected by the People for the term of two years.] 



First chosen. 


First chosen. 


1774 Andrew Adams 


1753 Timothy Collins 


1796 John Allen 


1812 Levi Catlin 


1828 Joseph Adams 


1836 Dan Catlin 


1836 'E. S. Abeniethy 


1838 Edward Camp 


1847 Charles Adams 


1838 Edward Cowles 


1762 Isaac Baldwin 


1839 Ralph G. Camp 


1781 Abraham Bradley 


1840 Cyrus Catlin 


1803 Nathan Bassett 


1846 Samuel Church 


1810 Asa Bacon 


1846 Garner Curtis 


1817 Seth P. Beers 


1847 Phineas W. Camp 


1817 Jonathan Bucl 


1847 Walter Coe 


1819 James Birgc 


1858 John Catlin 


1820 Isaiah Bunce 


1798 Julius Deming 


1828 Joseph Birge 


1842 Stephen Deming 


1835 Joseph Birge, Jr. 


1838 Samuel H. Dudley 


1836 Samuel P. Bolles 


1858 Orson Emons 


^839 William Bassett 


1849 Amos Farnsworth 


1840 Ozias B. Bassett 


1854 Henry Frisbie 


1840 Francis Bacon 


1858 Royal A. Ford 


1845 Samuel G. Braman 


1818 Nathaniel Goodwin 


1846 Frederick D. Beeman 


1832 Leonard Goodwin 


1846 Samuoi Brooker, Jr. 


1838 Chester C. Goslee 


1847 Frederick Bucl 


1838 Julius Griswold 


1847 Philip S. Beebe 


1841 John Garnsey 


1850 Charles 0. Belden 


1849 Albin Guild 


1850 David Benton 


1849 Henry B. Graves 


1851 Chester G. Birge 


1851 Edward Garnsey 


1851 Junius Burgess 


1856 George Garnsey 


1854 Charles C. Buel 


1752 Thomas Harrison 


1856 William Bisscll 


1808 Uriel Holmes 



^ \ 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



209 



First chosen. 


First chosen. 


1808 Uriel Holmes 


1838 Manly Peters 


1817 Jabez W. Huntington 


1847 Leonard Pierpont 


1820 Ephraim S.Hall 


1849 Ithamar Page 


1820 Elihu Harrison 


1844 Frederick W. Plumb 


1828 Asa Hopkins 


1846 Prentice Parkhurst 


1835 William Harrison 


1851 Christopher C. Palmer 


1838 Edward Hopkins 


1783 Tapping Reeve 


1843 G. H. Hollister 


1819 Stephen Russell 


1845 Norman Hall 


1858 William L. Ransom 


1S46 Alanson Hall 


1754 Elisha Sheldon 


1852 John H. Hubbard 


1772 Reuben Smith 


1854 Levi Heaton 


1779 Jedediah Strong 


1854 George A. Hickox 


1797 Moses Seymour 


1830 Truman Kilbourn 


1808 Aaron Smith 


1835 Putnam Kilbourn 


1808 Peter Sherman 


1846 Homer Kilbourn 


1823 Enos Stoddard 


1858 P. K. Kilbourn 


1824 David C. Sanford 


1802 Seth Landon 


1826 Simeon Sanford 


1819 Ozias Lewis 


1829 Origen S. Seymour 


1836 Abner Landon 


1840 Henry Skilton 


1852 A. S. Lewis 


1843 Wm. L. Smedley 


1788 James Morris 


1827 Truman Smith 


1S03 Roger Marsh 


1847 Daniel B. Stoddard 


1809 Phineas Miner 


1850 George A. Smith 


1842 Augustus Morey 


1856 Abraham C. Smith 


1846 Lemuel 0. Meafoy 


1856 Edward W. Seymour 


1849 Samuel A. Merwin 


1858 Newton Smith 


1854 Garry H. Minor 


1792 Uriah Tracy 


1858 Jacob Morse, Jr. 


1807 Benjamin Tallmadge 


1843 Isaac Newton 


1844 Stephen Trowbridge 


1847 William Norton 


1845 Uri Taylor 


1849 William Newton 


1848 Oliver A. G. Todd 


1847 John A. Oviatt 


1759 Jacob Woodruff 


1804 Mark Prindle 


1768 David Welch 


18S6 A. J. Pickett 


1793 John Welch 


1837 Edward Pierpont 


1800 Frederick Wolcott 


1838 James M. Pierpont 


1804 Roger N. Whittlesey 

27 



210 ' HISTOEY OF LITCHFIELD. 

First chosen. Fii-st chosen. 

1814 Morris Woodraff 1840 Jason Wliiting 

1826 Hugh P. Welch 1845 James B. Woodruff 

1832 George C. Woodruff 1845 Douglas Watson 

1837 Enoch J. Woodruff 1847 Isaac B. Woodruff 

1840 Charles L. Webb 1850 Tomlinson Wells 



€om1 .of grabatL 

DISTRICT OF LITCHFIELD. 
JUDGES. 



^District organized in 1747. Judges appointed annoally by the Legislature until 
1851. Since elected annually by the JPeople.J 



Ebenezer Marsh, of Litchfield 


Appointed. 

1747 


No. years. 

25 


Oliver Wolcott 


(( 


1772 


24 


Frederick Wolcott 


ii. 


1796 


41 


Elisha jS. Abernethy 
Phineas Miner 


Li 


1837 
1838 


1 

2 


Ralph G. Camp 
Elisha S. Abernethy 
Ralph G. Camp 
Elisha S. Abernethy 


U 

a 


1840 
1842 
1844 

1846 


2 

2 
2 

1 


Charles Adams 


a 


1847 


3 


Oliver A. G. Todd 


(.(. 


1850 


1 


Henry B. Graves 
Ohver A. G. Todd 


u 
u 


1851 
1852 


1 
1 


George C. Woodruff 


u 


1853 


1 


Charles Adams 


u 


1854 


3 


George C. Woodruff 


u 


1857 


1 


Charles Adams 


(( 


1858 


in office. 


* CLERKS. 






Isaac Baldwin, Litchfield 


1747 


25 


Hosea Hulbert 




3772 


2 


Nath'l Brown Beckwith 




1774 


1 


Samuel Lyman 




1775 


4 


Oliver Wolcott, Jr. 




1779 


2 


Thomas Gold 




1781 


5 



\ 



Frederick Wolcott 
Roger Skinner 
Aaron Burr Reeve 
Elijah Adams 
Jabez W. Huntington 
Phineas Miner 
George C. Woodruff 
Francis Bacon 
Reuben M. Woodruff 
Douglas Watson 
William E. Dickinson 
Philip Wells 
Geoi-ge C. Woodruff 
Buel Sedgwick 
George C. Woodruff 
Charles 0. Belden 
P. K. Kilbourn 
Edward W. Seymour 



COUNTY COURT JUDGES, 2il 

First appoiutcd. No. years. 



1786 


io 


1796 


10 


1806 


2 


1808 


1 


1809 


20 


1829 


8 


1837 


S 


1840 


2 


1842 


2 


1844 


1 


1845 


1 


1846 


1 


1847 


4 


1851 


1 


1852 


2 


1854 


1 


1855 


8 


18&8 


in oflfici 



Court of Common Olcas. 

COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, 



[rrevioup to 1819, this Court consisted of one Presiding Jiidoe and fonr Associate 
Judges, called " Justices of the Quorum.'" From 1819 to 183"J, thci-c were but two 
Associate Judges, instead of four. From 1839 till the abolition of the Court in 1855. 
there were no Associate Judges — the County Commissioners being their successors.] 



CHIEF JUDGES 

William Preston, Woodbury 
John Williams, Sharon 
Oliver Wolcott, Litchfield 
Daniel Sherman, Woodbury 
Joshua Porter, Salisbury 
Aaron Austin, New Hartford 
Augustus Pettibone, Norfolk 
David S. Boardman,N. Milford 
William M. Burrall, Canaan 
Ansel Sterling, Sharon. 
Calvin Butler, Plymouth 
Ansel Sterling, Sharon 



1751 


3 


1754 


19 


1773 


19 


1786 


5 


1791 


17 


1808 


8 


1816 


14 


1831 


5 


1836 


2 


1838 


1 


1839 


1 


1840 


2 



212 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

First appointed. No. years. 

William M. Burrall, Canaan 1842 2 

Abijah Catlin, Harwinton 1844 2 

Elisha S. Abernethy, Litclifield 184& 1 

Holbrook Curtis, Watertown 1847 2- 

Hiram Goodwin, Barkhamsted 1849 1 

Charles B. Phelps, Woodbury 1850 1 

Hiram Goodwin, Barkhamsted 1851 1 

Charles B. Phelps, Woodbury 1852 2 

Hiram Goodwin, Barkhamsted 1854 1 



ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 

Thomas Chipman, Salisbury 

John Williams, Sharon 

Samuel Canfield, New Milford 

Ebenezer Marsh, Litchfield 

Joseph Bird, Salisbury 

Noah Hinman, Woodbury 

Ehsha Sheldon, Litchfield 

Increase Moseley, Woodbury 

Roger Sherman, New Milford 

Daniel Sherman, Woodbi^ry 

Bushnell Bostwick, New Milford 1762 

Joshua Porter, Salisbury 

Samuel Canfield, New Milford 

Jedediah Strong, Litchfield 

Heman Swift, Cornwall 

Aaron Austin, New Hartford 

Nathan Hale, Caanan 

David Smith, Plymouth 

D. N. Brinsraade, Washington 

Judson Canfield, Sharon 

Birdsey Norton, Goshen 

Augustus Pettibone, Norfolk 

Uriel Holmes, Litchfield 

Moses Lyman, Jr., Goshen 

Oliver Burnbam, Cornwall 

Cyrus Swan, Sharon 

Martin Strong, Salisbury 

John Welch, Litchfield 

William M. Burrall, Canaan 

Morris Woodruft', Litchfield 

Hugh P. Welch, Litchfield 



1751 


2 


1751 


3 


1751 


4 


17ol 


21 


1753 


1 


1754 


6 


1754 


7 


175.1 


25 


1759 


3 


1761 


25 


1762 


14 


1772 


19 


1777 


13 


1780 


11 


1786 


16 


1790 


18 


1791 


18 


1791 


■23 


1804 


16 


1808 


7 


1809 


3 


1812 


4 


1814 


3 


1815 


2 


1816 


o 


1817 


2 


1817 


12 


1819 


10 


1829 


7 


1829 


10 


1836 


3 



MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. 213 

IhxM Stittes .Senators dtttta from f itcMcl^ mx\\% 

First chosen. No. years. 

Uriah Tracy, Litchfield 1796 11 

Elijah Boardmaii, New Milford 1821 died in office. 

Perry Smith, New Milford 1836 6 

Truman Smith, Litchfield 1819 5 



llcmbtrs jof Cangrcss dutth ixmx ""SikMtU €m\\t^, 

Uriah Tracy, Litchfield 1793 3 

Jfathaniel Smith, Woodbury 1795 4 

John Allen, Litchfield 1797 2 

John Cotton Smith, Sharon 1800 6 

Benjamin Tallmadge, Litchfield 1801 16 
Uriel Holmes, Litchfield 1817 1 

Ansel Sterling, Sharon 1821 4 

Orange Morwin, New Milford 1825 4 

JabezW. Huntington, Litchfield 1829 5 

Phineas Miner, Litchfield 1834 1 

Lancelot Phelps, Colebrook 1835 4 

Truman Smith, Litchfield 1839 8 

Origen S. Seymour, Litchfield 1851 4 

William W. Welch, Norfolk 1855 2 

« • — > «»> • ■! . «» 

llemkrs at tin Council 

Elisha Sheldon, Litchfield 1761 18 

Oliver Wolcott, Litchfield 1771 15 

Andrew Adams, Litchfield 1781 9 

Jedediah Strong, Litchfield 1789 1 

Heman Swift, Coniwall 1790 12 

Tapping Reeve, Litchfield 1792 1 

Aaron Austin, New Hartford 1794 24 
Nathaniel Smith, Woodbury 1799 6 

John Allen, Litchfield 1800 6 

John Cotton Smith, Sharon 1809 1 

Judson Canfield, Sharon 1809 6 

Frederick Wolcott, Litchfield 1810 9 

Noah B. Benedict, Woodbury 1816 2 

Elijah Boardman, New Milford 1817 1 



214 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Stn;rt0r5 

FOR LITCHFIELD COUNTY — ELECTED BY GENERAL TICKET. 



[Under the Constitution of 1818, Senators are elected in place of Members of the 
Council, or Assistants.] 

Frederick Wolcott, Litchfield 
Elijah Boardman, New Milford 
Orange Merwin, New Milford 
Seth P. Beers, Litchfield 
John Welch, Litchfield 
Samuel Church, Salisbur}'- 
Homer Boardman, New Milford 



Chosen. 


No. 3Tars 


1819 


4 


1819 


2 


1824 


4 


1821 


1 


1825 


« 


1825 


3 


1828 


2 



UNDER THE DISTRICT SYSTEM. 

[Fifteenth District.] 

Phineas Miner, Litchfield 1830 2 

William G. Williams, N. Hartford 1832 2 

Theron Rockwell, Colebrook 1834 2 

James Beebe, Winchester 1836 2 

Andrew Abernethy, Harwinton 1838 2 

Lambert Hitchcock, Barkhamsted 1840 2 

Martin Webster, Torrington 1842 1 

Israel Coe, Torrington 1843 1 

Abijah Catlin, Harwinton 1844 1 

William Beebe, Litchfield 1845 1 

Lucius Clarke, Winchester 1846 1 

Gideon Hall, Jr., Winchester 1847 1 

Roger H. Mills, New Hartford 1848 1 

Francis Bacon, Litchfield 1849 1 

Samuel W. Coe, Winchester 1850 1 

Charles Adams, Litchfield 1851 1 

Warren Phelps, Colebrook 1852 1 

Elliot Beardsley, Winchester 1853 1 

John Boyd, Winchester 1854 1 

Charles 0. Belden, Litchfield 1855 1 

Gideon H. Hollister, Litchfield 1856 1 

George D. Wadhams, Torrington 1857 1 

Reuben Rockwell, Colebrook 1858 1 

Sheldon Osborne, Harwinton 1859 1 



OFFICERS OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY. 



215 



€mm\\i ©iari 



HIGH SHERIFFS. 




F 


'irst chosen. 


No. years. 


Oliver Wolcott 


1751 


21 


Lyiide Lord 


1772 


29 


John R. Landon 


1701 


18 


Moses Seymour, Jr., 


1819 


6 


Ozias Seymour 


1825 


9 


Albert Sedgwick 


1834 


1 


Charles A. Judson 


18H5 


3 


* Albert Sedgwick 


1838 


16 


Leverett W. Wessells 


1854 

SURERS. 


in office. 


COUIfTY TREA 




John Catlin, Litchfield, 


1751 


10 


Elisha Sheldon " 


1761 


18 


Reuben Smith " 


1779 


22 


Julius Deming " 


1801 


13 


Abel Catlin " 


1814 


28 


Charles L. Webb " 


1842 

ERKS. 


in office, 


COUNTY CL 




Isaac Baldwin 


1751 


42 ' 


Frederick Wolcott 


1793 


43 


Origen S. Seymour 


1836 


8 


Gideon H. Hollister 


1844 


2 


Origen S. Seymour 


1846 


1 


Gideon H. Hollister 


]847 


3 


Elisha Johnson 


1850 


1 


Frederick D. Beeman 


1851 


in office, 



NOTARIES PUBLIC. 

[Appointed by the Governor for two years. J 



Uriah Tracy 
Frederick Wolcott 
Setli P. Beers 
David C. Sanford 
Nathan Cooley 
George C. Woodruff 
0. S. Seymour 
J. K. Averill 



G. H. Hollister 
Francis Bacon 
George W. Beers 
P. K. Kilbourn 
Samuel P. Bolles 
Jacob Kilbourn 
E. L. Houghton 
Francis E. Harrison. 



216 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 



§Drmiglr of f ittlifielir. 

[Incorporated in 1818.] 



PRESIDENTS. 

First chosen. No. years. 

Frederick AVolcott 1818 2 

Uriel Holmes 1820 4 

William Buel 1824 14 

Phineas Miner 1838 1 

Joseph Adams 1839 3 

Josiah G. Beckwith 1842 11 

Garwood Sanford 1853 1 

Henry B. Graves 1854 2 

P. K. Kilbourn 1856 1 

Frederick D. Beeman 1857 1 

John H. Hubbard 1858 1 



TREASIJKERS. 




William Buel 


1818 


6 


Phineas Miner 


1824 


14 


Josiah G. Beckwith 


1838 


4 


Abel Catlin 


1842 


4 


Charles L. Webb 


1846 


. 7 


Chauncey M. Hooker 


1853 


3 


Henry Ward 


1856 


1 


Edward W. Seymour 


1857 


2 



CLERKS. 

Joseph Adams 1818 5 

Seth P. Beers 1823 1 

Joseph Adams 1824 14 

Sylvester Galpin 1838 4 

Stephen Trowbridge ' 1842 4 

P. K. Kilbourn 1846 7 

Albert Stoddard 1853 1 

P. K. Kilbourn 1854 2 

Henry W. Buel 1856 1 

David E. Bostwick 1857 2 



TOWN OFFICERS. 



21T 



[Boi'ougli Ofiicers — Continued.] 

BAILIFFS- 

[In the order of their election.] 



Abel Catlin 

Asa Bacon 

Seth P. Beers, (declined.) 

Samuel Bnel 

Ezekiel Lewis 

Oliver Goodwin 

Stephen Deraing 

Samuel P. Bolles 

Leonard Goodwin 

David C. Sanford, (declin'd) 

Frederick Deming 

Jonathan Carrington 

William Deminsc 



Ebenezer W. Bolles 
Erastus A. Lord 
James C. Wads worth 
Sylvester Galpin 
David C. Bulkley 
William R. Buel 
William Lord 
Augustus P. Hinman 
A. S. Lewis 
Wm. H. Grossman 
Edward P. Clieney 
George H. Baldwin 
Wm. F. Baldwin 



I0ii3ii (©fccrs. 




T II E A S U R E R S . 




Chosen. 


No. years. 


John Bird 1721 


15 


Joseph Bird 1736 


2 


John Buel 1738 


13 


William Marsh 1751 


4 


Supply Strong 1755 


8 


Joshua Garrett 1763 


5 


Reuben Smith 1768 


2 


Abraham Bradley 1770 


6 


William Stanton' 1776 


resigned. 


Samuel Lyman 1776 


1 


Reuben Smith 1777 


6 


Abraham Bradley 1783 


4 


Moses Seymour 1787 


2 


Ebenezer Marsh 1789 


1 


Timothy Skinner 1790 


2 


Abraham Bradley 1792 


2 


Benjamin Tallmadge 1794 


7 


Ebenezer Marsh 1801 


2 


James Gould 1803 


8 


Samuel Buel 1811 


25 


Isaac Lawrence 1836 


5 


William F. Baldwin 1841 


3 


28 





218 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD, 





George Dewey 


1841 


1 




George C. Woodruff 


1845 


1 




Francis Bacon 


1846 


1 




George C. Woodruff 


1847 


4 




Frederick D. Beeman 1851 


3 




Stephen Trowbridge 


1854- 


1 




Lemuel 0. Meafoy 


1855 


1 




William F. Baldwin 


185(3 


in office. 




CLERKS. 






John Marsh 


1721 


9 




John Bird 


J 730 


5 




Joseph Bird 


1735 


1 




John Bird 


1736 


2 




Joshua Garrett 


17C8 


4 




Isaac Baldwin 


1742 


31 




Jedediah Strong 


1773 


16 




Moses Seymour 


1789 


37 




Elihu Harrison 


1826 


10 




Samuel P. Bolles 


1836 


4 




Sylvester Galpin 


1840 


i 




Samuel P. Bolles 


1841 


13 




Charles 0. Belden 


1854 


1 




George A. Hickox 


1855 


o 

o 




George H. Baldwin 


1858 


in office. 




SELECTMEN. 




Chosen 




Ceosen. 




1737 


Allen, Daniel 1 


1843 Bissel 


1, William 2 


1735 


Baldwin. David 2 


1853 Blakeslee, Fred'k M. 3 


1782 


Baldwin, Isaac 2 


1832 Bolles 


Samuel P. 1 


1758 


Barns, Abel 2 


1803 Bradley, Aaron 9 


1846 


Beach, Heman 1 


1773 Bradley, Abraham 13 


1777 


Beach, Miles 1 


1777 Buel, Archelus 1 


1748 


Beach, Samuel 1 


1846 Buel, 


F'rederick 1 


1778 


Beebe, Bezaleel 3 


1833 Buel, 


George M. 2 


1825 


Beebe. William 4 


1726 Buel, 


John 12 


1847 


Beckwith, Josiah G. 6 


1811 Buel, Jonathan 5 


1841 


Benton, David 2 


1802 Buel, 


Norman 6 


1826 


Bird, John 2 


1740 Buel, 


Peter 4 


1727 


Bii'd, Joseph 9 


1756 Buel, 


Solomon 3 


1770 


Bird, Seth 4 


1744 Catlin 


John 5 


1811 


Birge, James 10 


1821 Catlin 


Levi 5 


1745 


Birge, Joseph 1 


1748 Catlin 


Thomas 2 


1817 


Birge, Joseph 1? 


1838 Coe, William 2 


1751 


Bissell, Isaac 2 


1763 Collins 


5, Timothy 2 



SELECTMEN OF LITCHFIELD. 



219 



1815 Clark, Peck 1 

1758 Culver, Nathaniel 1 

1731 Culver, Samuel 5 

1841 Curtis, Eli 3 

1791 Deming, Julius 1 
1827 Deming, Stephen 1 
1830 Dewey, George 2 
1757 Farnham, John 2 
1851 Frisbie, Henry 3 
1834 Frisbie, Levi '2 

1844 Garnsey, Edward 3 
1833 Garnsey, John 3 
1790 Garnsey, Noah? 4 

1737 Garrett, Joshua 11 
1736 Gay, John 2 
1754 Gibbs, Benjamin 2 
1841 Gilbert, Truman 6 

1738 Gillett, Joseph 3 
1747 Goodwin, Abraham 3 
1795 Goodwin, Nathaniel 9 

1846 Goslee, Henry K. 1 
1757 Grant, Josiah 1 
1825 Griswold, Benjamin 2 
1725 Griswold, Jacob 9 
1822 Griswold, Julius 4 

1839 Griswold, Henry S. 2 

1827 Guild, Gad 1 
1810 Hall, Ephraim S., 7 
1784 Harrison, Elihu 2 

1828 Harrison, Roswell 2 
1746 Harrison, Thomas 3 
1830 Harrison, William 4 
1854 Heaton, Levi 1 
1830 Hopkins, Asa 1 

1845 Jones, Charles 1 

1847 Kenney, Murray 1 
1746 Kilbourn, Abraham 7 

1792 Kilbourn, David 3 
1746 Kilbourn, James 3 
1782 Kilbourn, Jesse 2 
1722 Kilbourn, Joseph 1 
1740 Kilbourn, Joseph, Jr. 3 

1840 Kilbourn, Norman 1 
1832 Kilbourn, Putnam 3 
1799 Kirby, Ephraim 4 
1836 Landon, Abner 10 
1753 Landon, Daniel 4 



1798 Landon, John 1 
1785 Landon, Seth 2 
1792 Lewis, Ozias 5 
1817 Lewis, Ozias, Jr. 9 
1854 Lewis, A. S. 1 

1768 Lord, Lynde 2 

1816 Lord, Phineas 6 

1857 Marsh, Andrew W. 1 
1821 Marsh. David 1 
1740 Marsh, p:benezer 13 

1799 Marsh, James, 2d 7 
1721 Marsh, John 5 

1755 Marsh, John 10 

1785 Marsh, Roger 2 
1747 Marsh, William 5 

1737 Mason, Joseph 3 

1761 Mason, Joseph, Jr. 1 

1762 Marvin, Reynold 2 

1756 McNiel, Archibald 8 

1779 McNiel, Archibald, Jr. 3 
1819 Merwin, Samuel A. 2 

1858 Minor, Garry H. 1 
1847 Morse, Jacob 1 
1857 Morse, Jacob, Jr. 2 

1817 Moss, Philo 5 
1846 Moss, Stephen 1 

1786 Murray, Philemon 1 
1831 Newton, Isaac 5 
1846 Newton, William 3 

1 770 Osborn, John 4 

1838 Oviatt, John A. 3 

1845 Parkhurst, Prentice 1 

1843 Peck, Sidney 2 

1833 Pickett, Rufus 2 

1836 Pierpont, Edward 2 

1738 Phelps, Edward 7 
1754 Plumb, Ezra 5 

1769 Prindle, Mark 2 
1815 Russell, Stephen 7 

1780 Sanfbrd, Jonah 2 
1743 Sanford, Joseph 3 
1817 Sanfbrd, Simeon 7 
1801 Sanford, Stephen, 2d 1 
1«35 Sedgwick, Albert 1 
1825 Seymour, Charles 1 
1797 Seymour, Samuel 6 
1754 Sheldon, Elisha 3 



220 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 



1805 Sherman, Peter 7 

1784 Skinner, Timothy 1 

1803 Smith, Aaron 8 

1855 Smith, Abraham C. 4 

1857 Smith, Anson C. 2 

1852 Smith, George A. 2 

1776 Smith, Reuben 1 

1778 Stoddard, Bryant 2 

1857 Stoddard, Daniel B 

1820 Stoddard, Enos 4 

1783 Stoddard, James 1 
1780 Stoddard John 1 

1743 Stoddard, Moses 2 

1784 Stone, Heber 8 
X851 Stone, Willis 2 
1820 Woodru . INIorris 2 
1770 Strong, Jedediah 13 

1744 Strong, Supply 4 



1754 Taylor, E'l'^n'^zer 3 
1838 Tuttle, Isaac 1 

1832 Tuttle, William 3 

1737 Walker, Josiah 1 

1738 Webster, Benjamin 5 
1846 Webster, Lyman 1 
1822 Webster, Reuben 2 
1769 AVelch, David D 

2 1799 Welch, John 4 

1833 Wells, Tomlinson 5 
1828 Wessells, Ashbel 3 
1818 Westover, David 2 
1 840 Whiting, Jason 1 
1787 Whittlesey, Roger N. 7 
1761 Wolcott, Oliver 7 
1760 Woodi-ufF, Jacob 5 
1843 AVoodrufF, Reuben JkL 2 
1849 AVoodward, Sherman P. 3 
1836 Wright, Samuel 2 



FIRST CONSTABLES AND COLLECTORS. 



Jacob Woodruff 
Asa Hopkins 
Nathaniel Goodwin 
Uriah Catlin 
Jonathan Mason 
John Marsh, 3d, 
David Stoddard 
William Stanton 
David Stoddard 
Timothy Skinner 
Asahel Strong 
Timothy Skinner 
Heber Stone 

Roger Newton Whittlesey 
Nathaniel Smith, 2d 
David Stoddard 
Samuel Seymour 
John Phelps 
Ozias Lewis 
Samuel Seymour 
James Stone 
Nathaniel Smith, 2d 
James Stone 
Ozias Seymour 
Dan Harrison 



Chosen. 


Xo. vears 


1756 


'4 


1760 


5 


1765 


5 


1770 


] 


1771 


1 


1772 


2 


1774 


1 


1775 


1 


1776 


1 


1777 


1 


1778 


4 


1782 


1 


1783 


1 


1784 


1 


1785 


I 


1786 


1 


1787 


1 


1788 


1 


1789 


2 


1791 


2 


1793 


1 


1794 


2 


1796 


3 


1799 


2 


1801 


1 



CONSTABLES. 



221 



Ozias Lewis, Jr. 1802 1 

Joseph Adams 1803 2 

Reuben Webster 1805 1 

Dan Harrison 1806 2 

James Stone 1808 3 

Jacob Kilbourn 1811 3 

Samuel Wright 1814 2 

Charles Buel 1816 ' 6 

Eliada Peck 1822 1 

Charles Buel 1823 a 

Jacob Kilbourn 1828 4 

Albert Sedgwick 1832 2 

Seth Catlin 1834 2 

Alanson Hall 1836 I 

Augustus Morey 1837 1 

Benjamin Kilbourn 1838 3 

William Lord 1841 2 

Leverett W. Wessells 1843 1 

William F. Baldwin 1844 2 

Leverett W. Wessells 1846 1 

William F. Baldwin 1847 5 
[This joint office was abolished in 1852. 
since held the office of Collector.] 



A. S. Lewis, Esq., has 



COxXSTABLES. 



Chosen. Chosen. 

1788 Adams, Andrew, Jr. 2 1347 

1803 Adams, Joseph 6 1853 

1754 Baldwin, Abner 9 1776 

1844 Baldwin, William F. 7 1784 

1805 Barnard, Brainard 1 1749 

1838 Beach, Heman 1 1827 

1855 Birge, Chester G. 1 1770 
1798 Birge, Joseph 4 1828 
1802 Bishop, Amos 3 1836 
1820 Benton, David 2 1854 

1839 Birge, Albert H. 2 1846 

1840 Bissell, Henry B. 1 1802 
1738 Bissell, Isaac, Jr. 5 1844 

1837 Blakeslee, Asa 1 1795 
1816 Buel, Charles 14 1852 

1838 Buel, Charles S. 5 1726 
1767 Bradley, Abraham 3 1790 

1856 Bradley, George 3 1846 
1S52 Burgess, William L. 3 1847 



Brooker, Samuel, Jr 2 
Candee, John B. 2 
Catlin, Alexander 1 
Catlin, David 3 
Catlin, John 5 
Catlin, Seth 10 
Catlin, Uriah 2 
Carter, Lyman 7 
Chad wick, Abiather 2 
Cheney, Edward P. 1 
Churchill, Daniel C. 1 
Clark, Daniel 1 
Clark, Job 1 
Collins James 1 
Crossman, William H. 
Culver, Samuel 1 
Emons, Phineas 7 
Ensign, William M. 1 
Ford, Royal A. 1 



222 



HISTORY OP LITCHP^IELD. 



1846 Frisbie, Frederick 1 1849 

1806 Frisbie, Levi 3 1829 
1839 Garnsey, Elijah M, 2 1771 
1853 Garnsey, George 2 1826 
1819 Garnsey, Jolin 2 1841 
1784 Garnsey, N. 5 1725 
1805 Garnsey, Samuel 2 1769 
1733 Garrett, Joshua 6 1736 

1789 Garrett, Joshua 3 1849 
1738 Gay, John 5 1841 
1728 Gibbs, Benjamin 1 1836 

1852 Gilbert, William H. 1 1850 

1721 Goodrich, William 1 1777 
1742 Goodwin, Abraham 2 1857 
1759 Goodwin, Nathaniel 14 1S17 
1792 Goodwin, Nathaniel 3 1835 
1777 Goodwin, Solomon 2 1724 
1832 Goslee, Chester C. 4 1805 
1855 Goslee, Thomas C. 2 1841 
1755 Grant, Jehiel 2 1820 
1782 Grant, Jesse 1 1844 

1722 Griswold, Jacob 1 1852 

1853 Griswold, Lucius 1 1853 
1830 Hall, Alanson 8 1841 

1835 liall, Salmon C. 1 1849 
1795 Harrison, Dan 14 1842 
1847. Harrison, RoUin H. 3 1842 

1838 Harrison, Simeon G. 1 1782 
1746 Hopkins, Asa 14 1846 

1807 Hopkins, Asa 1 1805 
1757 Hosford, Benjamin 1 1854 
1755 Ilosford, David 1 1817- 
1812 Humaston, Sherman 1794 

1839 Judd, Jesse L. 2 1830 
1838 Kilbourn, Benjamin 3 1853 

1808 Kilbourn, Jacob 23 1799 
1857 Kilbourn, Homer 2 1785 
1857 Lake, Peter 1 1777 
1/70 Landon, Daniel, jr. 4 1787 
1744 Landon, James 5 1809 

1836 Landon, Sherman 3 1724 

1790 Lewis, Ozias 2 1781 
1841 Lord, William 2 1845 
1737 Marsh, George 1 1775 
1795 Marsh, James 5 1773 
1773 Marsh, Ebenezer 2 1774 
1818 Marsh, Jared 1 1838 
1772 Marsh, John 5? 1850 



Marsh, John 2 
Marsh, Kirby 7 
Marsh, Solomon 1 
Marsh, Tracy 1 
McNiel, Charles 2 
Mason, Joseph 1 
Mason, Jonathan 6 
Mather, Timothy 1 
Merwin, Frederick S. 3 
Merwin. Samuel A. 5 
Morey, Augustus 3 
Morse, Jacob Jr. 4 
Morse, Levi 5 
Munger, George 2 
Northrop, Abner 7 
Norton, William 1 
Orton, Samuel 1 
Page, David, Jr. 1 
Parkhurst, Prentice 1 
Peck, Eliada 10 
Peck, Edward O. 6 
Peck, George 1 
Peck, Joseph C. 5 
Pickett, llufus 1 
Pierpont, Andrew J. 3 
Pierpont, George 3 
Pierpont, George B. 3 
Phelps, John 12 
Pratt, Henry M. 1 
Ray, David 6 
Richards, Henry B. 1 
Russell, Emanuel 8 
Sanford, Stephen 2d, 9 
Sedgwick, Albert 4 
Sedgwick, Buel 1 
Seymour, Ozias 9 
Seymour, Samuel 5 
Skinner, Timothy 4 
Smith, Eli 2 
Smith, George 2 
Smith, Nathaniel 1 
Smith, Nathaniel 2d, 12 
Smith, Rufus 3 
Stanton, William 1 
Stoddard, Briant 5 
Stoddard, David 8 
Stoddard, Daniel B. 2 
Stoddard, Homer 2 



LISTERS. 



223 



] 787 Stoddard, James 5 
1782 Stone, Heber 4 
1793 Stone, James 10 

1779 Stone, Reuben 2 
1847 Stone, Lewis 1 
1778 Strong, Asahel 5 
1857 Taylor, Isaac 2 

1837 Taylor, Phineas 1 

1780 Tracy, Uriah 1 
18S0 Turner, David P. 1 
1723 Walker, Josiah 1 
1731 Webster, Benjamin 2 

1838 Webster, Lyman 1 
1805 Webster, Reuben 1 
1842 Wadhams, Charles D. 8 

1796 Wrie 



1788 Welch, John 5 
1779 Whittlesey, Roj^er N. 8 
1839 Whittlesey, WiUiam H. 2 
1842 Wessells, Levcrett W. 2 
1846 Wetmore, John, Jr. 1 
1820 Wilmot, Eli 1 
1844 Woodruff, Edward 4 
1816 Woodruff, Enoch J. 5 - 
1750 Woodruff, Jacob 7 
1813 Woodruff, James 3 
1830 Woodruff, Nathaniel 1 
1825 Woodward, Henry B. 1 
1808 Woodward, Reuben S. 4 
1851 Wright, Everett H. 1 
1811 AVright, Samuel 13 
ht, Jonathan, 2d, 2 



LISTERS, OR RATE-ifAKERS. 

IFrom 1721 to 1819. At the latter date, Assessors were sulistituted — the duties 
of the two offices beinj;: much the same.] 



Chosen. 

1771 Adams, Andrew 2 
1811 Adams, Elijah 1 
1802 Adams, Joseph 12 
1789 Allen, John 2 
1722 Allen, Nehemiah 1 
1794 Ames, Cheney 1 
1791 Baldwin, Horace 1 
1742 Baldwin, Isaac 31 
1780 Baldwin, Isaac, Jr, 5 
1810 Baldwin, Isaac, 2d 1 
1736 Baldwin, John 1 
1776 Baldwin, Phineas 6 ' 
1784 Baldwin, William 3 ' 
1735 Baldwin, Nathaniel 1 
1768 Barnard, Samuel 2 
1750 Barns, Abel 3 
1783 Barns, Amos 4 
1775 Barns, Moses 1 
1782 Barns, Timothy 1 
1779 Beach, Miles 1 



Chosen. 

1775 Beach, Laban 1 
1764 Beach, Zophar 2 
1818 Beebe, William 1 
1778 Benton, Ebenezer 2 
1808 Benton, Ebenezer, Jr, 1 
1807 Bolles, Ebenezer 
1818 Birge, Albert 1 
1758 Birge, Benjamin 1 
1793 Birge, James 4 
1723 Bird, John 

1775 Bird, Seth 2 
1762 Bidwell, Stephen 1 
1803 Bishop, Amos 2 
1805 Bishop, Calvin 1 
1782 Bishop, Luman 2 
1771 Bishop, Sylvanus 3 
1736 Bissell, Isaac, Jr. 9 
1810 Bissell, John 1 
1796 Bradley, Aaron 2 

1776 Bradley, Abraham 9 



224 



HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 



1804 Braul. y, Comfort 2 

1817 Bradley, Lemuel 2 

1781 Bradley, Phineas 1 

1786 Bradley, Zina 2 

1774 Buel, Archelus 1 
1801 Buel, Charles 8 
1799 Buel, Jonathan 4 
1789 Buel, Norman 7 

1775 Buel, Peter 2 
1806 Buel, Samuel 7 
1763 Buel, Solomon 2 
1777 Burgess, James, Jr. 1 

1787 Camp, Abel, Jr. 2 

1782 Catlin, Alexander 1 
1789 Catlin, Bradley 2 

1783 Catlin, David 1 
1801 Catlin, Horace 1 
1752 Catlin, John 3 

17 63 Catlin, Thomas 4 

1794 Catlin, Thomas, Jr. 3 

1791 Chase, Lot 8 

1817 Chase, Philo 3 

1766 Clark, Elisha 1 

1812 Clark, Peck 1 

1812 Coe, Levi 1 

1806 Clemons, Abel 1 

1760 Clemons, John, Jr. 3 

1761 Collins, John I 

1766 Collins, Timothy 1 
1757 Collins, Oliver 1 

1796 Collins, William 2 
1774 Comstock, Calvin 11 
1755 Culver, Nathaniel 3 
1723 Culver, Samuel 1 
1787 Deming, Julius 2 
1814 Deming, Frederick 1 
1806 Dennison, Chauncey 1 
1817 Dewey, George 1 
1779 Dickinson, Michael 1 
1786 Dickinson, Oliver 1 
1799 Dutton, Thomas 1 
1791 Emons, Arthur, jr. 1 
1770 Emons, Arthur 4 

1797 Emons, Phineas I 
1803 Ensign, Isaac 3- 
1773 Ensign, Samuel 1 
1730 Fairbanks, Jonathan 2 

1767 Farnham, Gad 2 . . 



1774 Farnham, Nathan, 1 

1778 Farnham, Seth, 1 
1791 Foot, Timothy, Jr. 3 
1804 Frisbie, Jonathan 1 

1811 Frisbie, Levi 1 

1813 Garnsey, John 2 
1781 Garnsey, Noah 2 
1767 Garnsey, Nathan 4 

1727 Garrett, Joshua 8 
1781 Garrett, Joshua, Jr. 2 

1818 Garrett, Daniel 1 

1817 Galpin, Sylvester 1 

1728 Gay, John 2 
1759 Gibbs, Benjamin 1 

1781 Gibbs, Caleb 1 

1779 Gibbs, Lemuel 1 

1794 Gibbs, Reuben 1 

1819 Gilbert, Abner 1 

1799 Gilbert, Calvin 4 
1816 Gilbert, James 1 
1807 Glazier, John 1 
1736 Gillett, Joseph 1 
1727 Goodwin, Abraham 2 
1753 Goodwin, Nathaniel 16 

1812 Goodwin, Oliver 5 
1777 Goodwin, Solomon 3 

1818 Goodwin, Thomas 1 
1803 Goslee, Solomon 3 

1801 Gould, James 1 

1800 Grannis, Gurdon 2 

1812 Grannis, Thomas 1 
1796 Grant, Ambrose 1 
1785 Grant, Charles 4 
1746 Grant, Jehiel 6 

1736 Grant, Josiah 1 
1761 Grant, Josiah jr. 1 

1782 Grant, Jesse 3 

1737 Grant, Thomas 8 

1814 Green, Samuel 1 

1813 Griswold, Benjamin 1 

1780 Guitteau, Judson 2 

1802 Gunn, Samuel 1 
1811 Hall, David 2 
1799 Hall, EphraimS. 3 
1806 Hand, S. P. 1 

1795 Harrison, Dan 3 
1790 Harrison, EHhu 1 
1761 Harrison, Ephraira 3 



i' 



• 


LISTERS. 


1757 Harrison, Gideon 2 


1805 


1767 Harrison, Lemuel 4 


1745 


1811 Harrison, Roswell 2 


1768 


1744 Harrison, Thomas 2 


1752 


1801 Harrison. Simeon 3 


1758 


1742 Hibbard, Reuben 2 


1776 


1796 Holmes, Uriel 2 


1779 


1826 Hopkins, Asa 1 


1799 


1781 Hopkins, Harris 2 


1809 


1807 Hopkins, William 1 


1727 


1724 Hosford, Benjamin 2 


1748 


1752 Hosford, David 3 


1756 


1778 Hosford, John 1 


1784 


1803 Humaston, Asaph 1 


1775 


1780 Humaston, John Jr. 1 


1790 


1784 Humaston, Noah 2 


1774 


1816 Humaston, Sherman 2 


1814 


1818 Humpherville, Lemuel 1 


1818 


1754 Kilbourn, Abraham 4 


1801 


1767 Kilbourn, David 8 


1798 


1802 Kilbourn, Jacob 1 


1788 


1811 Kilbourn, Jeremiah 1 


1785 


1781 Kilbourn, Jesse 3 


1761 


1725 Kilbourn, Joseph 1 


1777 


1724 Kilbourn, Joseph Jr. 1 


1792 


1800 Killwurn, Levi 2 


1809 


1792 Kilbourn, Orange 4 


1770 


1743 Landon, Daniel 3 


1784 


1793 Landon, Daniel 2d, 1 


17 69 


1774 Landon, Seth 7 


1762 


1811 Landon, Seth Jr. 2 


1778 : 


1803 Landon, Zophar 8 


1782 : 


1722 Lee, Thomas 1 


1813 : 


1808 Lewis, Luke 1 


1780 : 


1780 Lewis, Ozias 1 


1787 


1816 Lewis, Ozias Jr. 1 


1797 


1770 Linsley, Edward 6 


1806 


1783 Lord, Daniel 1 


1778 


1776 Lord, Lynde 1 


1804 


1811 Marsh, Aaron 1 


1757 


1728 Marsh, Ebenezer 1 


1796 


1736 Marsh, George 2 


1814 


1791 Marsh, James 3 


1781 


1771 Marsh, John 1 


180() 


1802 Marsh, Isaac 2 


1788 


1793 Marsh, Nathaniel 1 


1810 


1771 Marsh, iiuger 2 


1810 ; 


1789 Marsli, Iluger Jr. 1 


1773 ; 


1788 Marsh, Samuel 3 


1759 


1703 Marsh, Solomon 2 


' 1810 




29 



125 



Marsh, Th omas 1 
Mason, John 1 
Mason, Jonathan 5 
Mason, Joseph 2 
McNeile, Alexander 4 
McNeile, Archibald, Jr. 
McNiele, Isaac 4 
McNeile, Samuel 2 
Merwin, Samuel A. 3 
Mitchell, Nathan 1 
Moody, Adonijah 2 
Morris, James 3 
Morris, James Jr. 1 
Moss, Amos 1 
Moss, David 1 
Moss, Levi 3 
Moss, Philo 1 
Northrop, A. 1 
Norton, Miles 10 
Osborn, Eliada 1 
Osborn, Jacob 3 
Osborn, Jeremiah 2 
Osborn, John 6 
Osborn, John Jr 2 
Parker, Joseph 2 
Page, David 2 
Pahiier, Ambrose 4 
Parmelee, Amos 2d, 2 
Parmelee, Jehiel 4 
Parmelee, Thomas 2 
Parmelee, Thomas jr. 1 
Parsons, Eliphaz 1 
Philips, Gideon 1 
Phelps, Edward Jr. 1 
Phelps, John 1 
Phelps, Samuel Jr. 2 
Pierpont, James 3 
Plumb, E. 2 
Plumb, Samuel 
Prindle, Mark 1 
Ranney, Stephen 1 
Ray, David 1 
Reeve, Tapping 1 
Riley, James 1 
Rowe, Daniel 1 
Russell, Stephen 3 
Sanforil, Ebenezer 1 
Sanfoi'd, Jonah 1 
San ford, Oliver 5 
Sanford, Simeon 2 



226 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELB. 



1779 SanforJ, Solomon 1 
1765 Sanford, Stephen 1 

1795 Sanford, Stephen 2d 4 
1818 Seymour, Charles 1 
1774 Seymour, Moses 6 
1800 Seymour, Moses Jr. 2 
1803 Seymour, Ozias 2 

1781 Sheldon, Samuel 1 

1782 Shether, Samuel 1 

1798 Skinner, Eo^er 2 

1778 Skinner, Timothy 3 

1779 Smedley, Ephraim Jr. 1 

1783 Smedley, Gideon 1 

1796 Smedley, Nathan 3 

1797 Smith, Aaron 3 

1767 Smith, Charles 3 
1788 Smith, Charles 2 

1780 Smith, Eli 2 

1805 Smith, Hicks 1 
17G9 Smith, John 1 
1762 Smith, Nathaniel 1 
1790 Smith, Nathaniel 2d, 6 
1817 Smith, Simeon 2 
1807 Smith, Solomon 1 
1752 Smith, Stephen 2 

1781 Stanley, Frederick 1 

1806 Spencer, Samuel W. 2 

1768 Stewart, Nathan 2 
1795 Stewart, William 1 

1809 Stoddard, Briant Jr. 5 

1778 Stoddard, Daniel 4 
1817 Stoddard, Enos 1 

1774 Stoddard, John 1 
1785 Stoddard, James 6 

1779 Stone, Heber 3 

1810 Stone, Noah 2d, 1 

1775 Stone, Reuben 3 

1799 Stone, Thomas 1 



1816 Stone, Solomon 1 
1764 Stone, Stephen 3 
1773 Strong, Jedediah 6 
1726 Strong, Supply 8 
1790 Tallmadge, Benjamin 1 

1775 Taylor, Zebulon 1 
1799 Tomlinson, Noah 1 
1782 Tracy, Uriah 6 

1809 Trowbridge, Thomas 1 

1804 Trumbull, Ezekiel 1 
1808 Turner, Isaac 5 
1802 Turner, Thomas 1 

1813 Wadswortb, Henry 2 
1785 Wallace, Richard 2 
1792 Waugh, James 2 
1790 AVaugh, Samuel 4 
1746 AVebster, Benjamin 7 

1814 Webster, Claudius. 1 
1766 Webster, Timothy 1 
1766 Webster, Justus 2 
1766, Welch, David 2 
1788 Welch, John 3 

1808 Wessells, George B. 1 

1776 Wetmore, Joseph 1 
1785 Whittlesey, Roger N. S 

1805 Wilmot, ,Jolm2 

1810 Woodruff, Enoch J, 3 
1746 Woodruff, Jacob 4 
1813 Woodruff, James 2 
1807 Woodruff, Morris 2 
1728 Woodruff, Nathaniel 1 
1804 Woodruii; William 1 
1813 Wooster, Henry 1 
1792 Wolcott, Frederick 4 
1779 Wrio-ht, Jonathan 3 
1817 AVright, Samuel 1 
1758 Vaill, Joseph 3 

1807 Vaill, Benjamin 2 



*^* The offices of Assessor and Board of EeHef were created by the Constitu- 
tion of 1818 — at which date the office of Lister terminated. The lists of Select- 
men, Constables and Grand Jurors are designed to embrace all who have been 
chosen, from the organization of the town in 1721 to the present time — witli the 
vear of the first election of each, and the number of times cacli was elected. 



ASSESSORS. 



227 



ASSESSORS. 



1857 Ames, William B. 1 1851 
1830 Beebe, William 1 1852 
1836 Benton, David 2 1841 
1838 Benton, D. L. 2 1885 
1819 Birge, James 9 1840 
1823 Birge, Joseph 1 1844 
1836 Birge, Harvey 2 1854 

1845 Booth, Charles 1 1829 
1833 Biiel, Frederick 5 1835 
1823 Bucl, Salmon 4 1857 
1S40 Bucl, Samuel 1 1849 

1846 Buel, William R. 1 1847 
1846 Bunnell, Eph raim K. 3 1 8 L 9 
1841 Burgess, Junius 4 1841 
1827 Catlin, Levi 2 1843 
1836 Clemens, Abel H 2 1846 

1851 Coe, Walter 1 1841 

1858 Cooke, George 1 1841 
1832 Cooke, Roger 1 1827 
1830 Curtis, "Eli 7 1855 

1857 Curtis, George 2 1823 
1815 Emons, Ethiel 1 1857 
1836 Ensign, Samuel M. 1 1835 
1853 Ford, Royal A. 1 1829 

1852 French, Asahel 1 1819 
1849 Frisbie, Henry 1 1834 

1830 Frisbie, Levi 3 1852 
1838 Frisbie, Sherman 3 1847 

1858 Fuller, Cyrus S. 1 1855 
1855 Garusey, George 2 1833 
1840 Garnsey, John 1 1853 
1838 Garnsev, Noah 2 1843 
1849 Gibbs, Frederick 2 1847 
1827 Gilbert, Aaron C. 1853 

1831 Goslee, Chester C. 1 1843 

1838 Goslee, Henry R. 3 1834 
1851 Griswold, Henry S. 2 1828 
1849 Griswold, Lyman 2 1844 
1849 Hall, Alanson 2 1851 
1819 Hall, Ephraim S. 9 1836 
1846 Hall, Norman 1 1840 

1839 Hopkins, Edward 1 1848 



Hopkins, Wm. L. 1 
Hull, Eben 1 
Jones, Charles 5 
Kecler, Daniel 1 
Kenney, Leonard 1 
Landon, Sherman 2 
Monlthrop, E. P. 1 
Marsh, David 5 
]\Ierwin, Samuel M 1 
Morey, Augustus 2 
Morse, Jacob, Jr 1 
Moss, Lewis H. 
Moss, Philo 7 
Newton, Ransom 2 
Newton, William 2 
Oviatt, John A. 1 
Page, Ithamar 3 
Peck, Sidney 2 
Pickett, Rufus 1 
Pierpont, Andrew J. 2 
Pierpont, James M. 2i. 
Potter, Garry G. 2 
Ray, William 1 
Russell, Stephen 1 
Seymour, Samuel 9 
Skilton, Henry 1 
Smedley, Frederick 1 
Smith, Anson C. 4 
Smith, George A. 2 
Smith, Simeon 1 
Steele, Henry 1 
Stoddard, Daniel B. I 
Stone, Truman 1 
Taylor, Uri 1 
Tompkins, Lucius 3 
Tuttle, William 2 . 
Webster, Reuben 1 
Wheeler, Christopher i 
Wheeler, Charles D. 3 
Wells, Tomlinson 4 
Whittlesey, Frederick 1 
Woodward, S. P. 1 



:28 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 



BOARD OF RELIEF. 



1841 


Abernethy, Elisha S. 1 


1841 


1844 


Ames, Rufus 2 


1835 


1829 


Bacon, Asa. 1 


1851 


1839 


Baldwin, Neheraiah 2 


1846 


1838 


Barber, Elizur 1 


1831 


1838 


Barnard, Benton 2 


1846 


1838 


Bassett, William 1 


1841 


1840 


Beach, Theron 1 


1837 


1845 


Beckwith, Josiah G. 1 


1842 


18-29 


Beebe, William 2 


1857 


1847 


Benton, David 2 


1847 


1853 J^^ir^e, Chester G. 1 


1S49 


1837 


Birge, Joseph Jr. 1 


1819 


1840 


Bissell, Nathaniel 1 


1840 


1851 


Bissell, William 2 


1837 


1834 


Bolles, Samuel P. 2 


1838 


1836 


Bost wick, Joel 1 


1849 


1838 


Braman, Samuel G. 2 


1853 


1844 


Brook er, Samuel Jr. 1 


1845 


1839 


Buel, George S. 1 


1850 


1819 


Buel, Jonathan 9 


1842 


1858 


Clarke, Alvah 1 


1849 


1816 


Coe, William 2 


1845 


1828 


Cooke, Roger 1 


1847 


1836 


Curtis, Eli 1 


1846 


1841 


Curtis, Garner B. 5 


1828 


1842 


Dewey, George 1 


1837 


1854 


Ford, Rojal A. 


1841 


1828 


Garnsey, John 1 


1828 


1823 


Garrett, Daniel 6 


1835 


1847 


Gibbs, Frederick 2 


1845 


1853 


Gilbert, George 1 


1849 


1832 


Goodwin, Oliver 2 


1858 


1853 


Griowold, Darius P. 1 


1819 


1846 


Griswold, Henry S. 1 


1855 


1849 


Griswold, Lucius 2 


1837 


1853 


Griswold, Lyman S. 1 


1854 


1841 


Guild, Albin 3 


1840 


1836 


Guild, Gad 1 


1836 


1855 


Guild, P. Gould 4 


1819 


1847 


Guild, Jeremiah 2 


1844 



Hall, Alanson 4 
Hall, David 1 
Hall, Norman 1 
Hand, Hiram J. 4 
Harrison, Elihu 1 
Hopkins, Edward 1 
Hopkins, Wm. L. 1 
Jones, Cahrles 1 
Kilbourn, Putnam 3 
Kilbourn, AV^illiain P. 2 
Landon, Abner 2 
Lord, William 1 
Marsh, David 11 
Marsh, Aaron 1 
Merwin, Samuel M. 1 
Moss, Stephen 2 
Moss, Linus G. 3 
Loveland, James L. 1 
Newton, William 1 
Odell, William 1 
Pickett, Alanson J. 1 
Pickett, Rufus 2 
Page, Ithamar 1 
Pierpont, Edward 4 
Potter, Miner 1 
Russell, Stephen 2 
Stoddard, Enos 1 
Stoddard, Harmon 1 
Sanford, Simeon 4 
Skilton, Henry 1 
Stone, Truman 1 
Stone, Willis 2 
Taylor, Phineas 1 
Welch, John 9 
Wells, Tomlinson 3 
Westover, David 3 
Whiting, Jason 1 
Whittlesey, Jabez 1 
Wilmot, Eli 1 
Woodruff, Morris 12 
Wright, Samuel 1 



GRAND JURORS. 



229 



GRAND JURORS. 



1810 Adams, Elijah 2 

1802 Adams, Joseph 6 

1777 Allen, Corneliusl 
1740 Allen, Daniel 1 
1727 Allen, Nehemiah 1 

1788 Allen, John 1 

1858 Alvord, Chau;iC3y H. 1 

1837 Ames, Rufus 3 
1852 Ames, WiUiara B 1 
1779 Atwater, Abel 2 
1808 Baldwin, Abner 1 
1739 Baldwin, David Jr. 4 
1782 Baldwin. Isaac Jr. 2 
1812 Baldwin, Isaac 1 
1826 Baldwin, Harmon 1 

? 733 Baldwin, Nathaniel 1 

1779 Baldwin, Phineas 5 

1734 Baldwin, Samuel 1 

1780 Baldwin, Stephen 1 

1803 Baldwin, James 1 

1800 Baldwin, William 1 
1807 Bacon, Asa 1 

1779 Barnard, Samuel 1 
1754 Barns, Abel 1 

1772 Barns, Enos 1 
1791 Barns, Enos Jr, 1 
1743 Barns, Daniel 1 
1841 Beach, George 1 
1825 Beach, Enos 1 

1838 Beach, Isaac C. 1 

1778 Beach, Laban 1 

1773 Beach, Miles 2 

1789 Beard, Lewis 1 

1781 Beebe, Bezaleel 1 

1735 Beebe, James 1 

1807 Beebe, William 2 
1836 Benedict, Andrew 4 
1820 Benton, Amos 1 
1833 Benton, David 5 
1772 Benton, Ebenezer 1 

1808 Benton, Ebenezer jr .2 

1780 Benton, Nathaniel 1 
1793 Bidwell, Elijah 1 
1778 Bidwell, 8tephen 1 
1807 Bidwell, Stephen 3 

1801 Bishop, Amos 4 



1770 Bishop, Noah 2 
1833 Bishop, Samuel 4 
1776 Bishop, Seth 1 
1804 Bishop, Sylvanus 1 
1756 Bissell, Isaac 1 

1817 Bissell, John 1 

1839 Bissell, Harmon 2 
1813 Bissell, Nathaniel 2 
1855 Bissell, William 1 
1786 Birge, James 2 
1728 Birge, .Joseph 4 
1725 Bird, John 1 

1723 Bird, Joseph 4 

1786 Bird, Seth 1 

1851 Blake, Edward W 1 

1818 Blakeslee, Isaiah 1 

1803 BoUes, Ebenezer 5 

1829 BoUes, Eben W. 5] 
1792 Bradley, Aaron 1 

1811 Bradley, Comfort 1 

1826 Bradley, Elihu 1 

1812 Bradley, -Joseph 1 
1773 Bradley, Beaming 2 
1746 Bradley, Phineas 2 
1755 Bradley. Zina 1 
1809 Brace, James 2 
1770 Buel, Archelus 1 

1840 Buel, Andrew 1 
1847 Buel, Charles S. 1 
1782 Buel, David 1 
1799 Buel, Norman 5 
1768 Buel, Peter 1 

1804 Buel, Salmon 2 
1751 Buel, Solomon 2 
1887 Bulkley, David C. 2 
1788 Bull, Asa 2 

1830 Burgess, Ezra 2 
1839 Burgess, Junius 2 
1838 Bunnell, Ephraim K. 
1779 Camp, Abel jr. 3 

1827 Camp, Ralph G. 2 
1799 Catlin, Abel 2d, 2 
1853 Catlin, Henry 1 
1846 Catlin, John 1 
1785 Catlin, Theodore 1 



230 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 



1769 Catlin, Uriah 1 
1731 Catlin, John 4 
1737 Catlin, Thomas 2 
1805 Carter, Samuel 1 
1761 Chamberlain, Moses 1 

1793 Chase, Lot 1 
1813 Clark, Peck 1 
1846 Clock, Samuel 1 
1831 Coe, Walter 1 
1771 Collins, Charles 1 
1783 Collins, John 1 
1721 Colkins,John 1 
1776 Comstock, Calvin 2 
1789 Crampton, Elon 1 
1757 Culver, Benjamin 2 
1753 Culver, Nathaniel 1 
18:^5 Curtis, Eli 2 

1852 Curtis, Garner B. 1 
1856 Curtis, Levi 1 
1800 Dare, George 1 

1782 Deming, Julius 1 
1831 Dewey, George 
1775 Dickinson, Reuben 1 
1807 Dodge, Stephen 1 

1794 Doolittle, Benjamin 1 

1757 Easton, Eliphalet 1 
1775 Emons, Arthur 1 
1786 Emons, Pliineas 2 
1781 Emons, Russell 1 
1846 Ensign, Charles A. 1 
1811 Ensign, Lsaac 2 
1780 Ensign, Samuel 1 
1807 Ensign, Samuel jr. 2 
1778 Farnham, Gad 1 
1849 Farnham, John 2 
1855 Farnham, Leman H. 1 
1708 Farnham, Seth 2 
1804 Foote, Timothy 1 
1858 Fuller, Cyrus S. 1 

1783 Galpin, Amos 3 
1841 Garnsey, Edward 3 
1854 Garnse3% John 1 
1771 Garnsey, Noah 1 
1830 Garnsey, Noah 3 
1822 Garrett, Daniel 1 
1748 Garrett, Joshua 2 
1788 Garrett, Joshua 2 
1726 Gay, John 1 

1758 Gibbs, Benjamin 3 
1780 Gibbs, Benjamin jr. 1 



1832 Gibbs, Birdsey 1 
1780 Gibbs, Caleb 2 
1844 Gibbs, Frederick 1 

1751 Gibbs, Henry 2 
1778 Gibbs, Lemuel 1 

1805 Gibbs, Medad 1 

1799 Gibbs„Moor 1 
1796 Gibbs, Noah 1 
1835 Gibbs, AVillis 3 
1771 Gibbs, Zebulon 1 

1854 Gibbud, Harris B. 1 
1802 Gilbert, Calvin 1 

1855 Gilbert, George 1 
1808 Gilbert, James 3 
1858 Gilbert, William H. 1 
1731 Goodwin, Abraham 1 
1811 Goodwin, Erastus 1 

1806 Goodwin, Medad 1 

1801 Gould, James 1 

1800 Grannis, G. 2 
1804 Grannis, Robert 1 

1808 Grannis, Thomas 1 
1816 Grant, Charles 1 

1752 Grant, Ebenezer 1 
1747 Griswold. Elijah 2 

1838 Griswold, Henry S. 1 

1802 Green, Samuel 1 
1724 Griswold, Jacob 1 
1820 Griswold, Benjamin 8 

1810 Griswold, John 1 

1811 Griswold, Julius 2 
1847 Griswold, Lucius 1 

1809 Grove, Thomas F. 1 
1829 Guild, Gad 2 

1851 Guild, Jeremiah 4 
1842 Hall, Alanson 2 
1824 Hall, David 4 
1765 Hall, Benjamin 1 
1760 Hall, Gilbert 1 

1839 Hall, Norman 2 

1801 Harrison, Elias 1 
1775 Harrison, Elihu 1 
1770 Harrison, EphraimU 
1760 Harrison, Gideon 1 
1743 Hibbard, Reuben 1 
1801 Hinsdale, Elias 1 
1799 Holmes, Uriel 1 
1822 Hopkins, Asa 2 
1795 Hopkins. Joseph H 3 
1820 Hopkins, Orange 1 



GRAND JURORS. 



1313 Horton, Elislia 2 1854 

1730 Hosford, Benjamin 1 1817 

1759 Hosford, David 2 1850 

1810 Hoyt, Levi 1 1844 
1823 Hubbard, Jacob 2 1840 
1847 Hull, Eben 2 iai3 
1849 Huraaston, A. P. 2 1804 
1849 Humaston, Noah 1 1770 
1819 Humphreville, Albro M. 1 1798 
1847 Humphreville, L. 1 1747 

1811 Huntington, Daniel 1 1771 
1842 Johnson, Horace 3 1801 
1833 Jones, Charles 1 1802 

1780 Judd, Jesse 1 1805 
1761 Kilbourn, Abraham 1 1790 

1781 Kilbourn, David 3 1848 
1753 Kilbourn, Elisha 1 1849 
1789 Kilbourn, Jacob 4 1804 
1801 Kilbourn, James 1 1735 
1799 Kilbourn, Jeremiah 1 1751 
1773 Kilbourn, Jesse 2 1842 
1730 Kilbourn, Joseph 2 179G 
1742 Kilbourn, James 1 1745 
1798 Kilbourn, Levi 2 1756 
1793 Kilbourn, Lewis 1 1844 
1827 Kilbourn, Norman 4 1837 

1830 Kilbourn, Putnam 3 1844 
1825 Keeler, Daniel 1 1823 
1780 King, David 1 1834 
1779 Kirby, Ephraim 2 1886 
1809 Lamson, Daniel? 1774 
1844 Landon, Abner 1 1836 
1746 Landon, Daniel 4 1840 
1776 Landon, Daniel jr. 1 1786 
1765 Landon, David 1 1783 
1737 Landon, James 1 1856 
1785 Landon, Nathan 3 1810 
1778 Landon, Seth 3 1802 

1803 Landon, Seth jr, 2 1815 

1831 Landon, Sherman 1 1725 

1804 Law, Benedict A. 1 1757 
1846 Law, Willis 1 1738 
1727 Lee, Thomas 1 1750 
1798 Lewis, Daniel W. 1 1801 
1808 Lewis, Luke 2 1790 
1773 Lewis, Ozias 4 1757 
1815 Lewis, Ozias jr. 4 1784 
1755 Linslev, Abel 1 1840 
1775 Linsley, Edward 1 1793 
1757 Linsley, Joseph 3 1785 



Lord, William 1 

Loveland, Clark 1 

Loveland, James L. 1 

Loveland, Lewis 1 

Loveland, Nathaniel G. 1 

Mansfield, John 1 

Marsh, Elislia 1 

Marsh, Ebenezer 1 

Marsh, James 4 

Marsh, John 3 

Marsh, John 1 

Marsh, Jonathan 1 

Marsli, Isaac 1 

Marsh, Ozias 1 

Marsh, Roger jr. 1 

Mar3h, Linus 5 

Marsh, Solomon 2d, 2 

Marsh, Thomas 1 

Marsh, William 4 

McNeile, Alexander 4 

Mase, Solomon 1 

Mason, Elisha 2 
Mason, Jose[)h 1 
Mason, Joseph jr. 1 

Meafoy, Lemuel O. 1 

Merriman, Reuben 1 
Merwin, Samuel A. 1 
Merwin, Samuel M. 3 

Morey, Augustus 1 
Morris, ArVil 1 
Moss, Amos 2 
Moss, Jacob 1 
Moss, James H. 1 
Moss, John 1 

Moss, Levi 1 
Newbury, Joseph A. 3 
Norton, Ambrose 1 
Norton, Miles 5 
Moulthrop, William 1 
Norton, Samuel 2 
Orton, Samuel jr. 1 
Osborn, Benjamin 1 
Osborn, Benjamin jr. 1 
Osborn, Eliada 1 
Osborn, Jacob 2 
Osborn, John 3 
Page, Jonathan 1 
Palmer, Christopher C. 1 
Parker, .Joseph 2 
Parraelee, Amos 1 



232 



SELECTMEN OF LITCHFIELD. 



1775 Parmelee, Jehiel 1 1845 
1732 Parmelee, Jonathan 1 1791 
1774 Peck, Abijan 1 1817 

1772 Peck, Benjamin 3 1821 
17H8 Peck, Elijah 1 1806 
1852 Perkins, Charles L. 3 . 1750 
174G Phelps, Edward 1 1798 
17G0 Phelps,, Edward jr. 1 1758 
1808 Pickett, Ebenezer 2 1856 

1820 Pickett, Rufus 4 1786 
1725 Pier, Thomas 1 1791 
17G0 Pierce, John 5 1816 

1848 Pierpont, Andrew J. 2 1803 
1705 Pierpont, James 3 1833 
1829 Pierpont, James M. 1 1806 
1744 Plumb, Ezra 2 1826 
1851 Pond, Seth 1 1853 
1787 Potter, Israel 1 1798 
1855 Pratt, Erancis II. 4 1732 

1755 Prindle, Mark 2 1783 
1797 Ray, William 1 1828 

1776 Riggs, Jeremiah 5 1806 
1723 Root, Samuel 1 1817 
1744 Rossiter, Jonathan 2 1829 

1804 Sanford, Daniel 1 1770 

1821 Sanford, David C. 2 1776 
1738 Sanford, Joseph 1 1816 

1774 Sanford, Jonah 1 1761 

1775 Sanford, Moses 1 1795 
1827 Sanford, Nathan 2 1836 

1773 Sanford, Oliver 1 1771 
1793 Sanford, Stephen 2d, 1 1749 
1823 Seymour, Charles 1 1727 
1826 Seymour, Origen S. 2 1736 
1790 Seymour, Samuel 4 1761 

1805 Seymour, Ziba 2 1836 
1857 Sharp, Homer 2 1755 
1797 Skinner, Roger 2 1781 
1775 Skinner, Timothy 2 1833 

1756 Smedley, Ephraim 4 1803 
1782 Smedley, Gideon 1 1806 

1806 Smedley, Nathan 1 1797 
1796 Smith, Aaron 1 1803 
1762 Smith, Abiel 1 1815 

1849 Smith, Anson C. 2 1837 
1771 Smith, Charles 1 1780 
1784 Smith, Charles jr, 1 1771 
1781 Smith, Eli 3 1804 
1796 Smith, Jacob jr. 2 1752 
1755 Smith, Josiah 1 1835 



Smith, Nathan D. 
Smith, Nathaniel 2d, 1 
Smith, Reuben 1 
Smith, Simeon 1 
Smith, Solomon 1 
Smith, Stephen 4 
Spencer, Samuel W. 1 
Stanley, Timothy jr. 1 
Stephens, Seymour 1 
Stewart, Nathan 2 
Stoddard, Briant 2 
Stoddard, Briant jr. 1 
Stoddard, Daniel 1 
Stoddard, Daniel B. 1 
Stoddard, Gideon 1 
Stoddard, Ilarmou 1 
Stoddard, Homer 3 j 
Stoddard, James 1 
Stoddard, Moses 2 
Stoddard, Moses 2 
Stone, Alvah 4 
Stone, James 2 
Stone, John 1 
Stone, Leman 1 
Stone, Noah 1 
Stone, Reuben 1 
Stone, Solomon 1 
Stone, Stephen 2 
Stone, Thomas 3 
Stone, Willis 1 
Strong, Asahel 1 
Strong, Josiah 2 
Strong, Supply 2 
Sutlift; John 1 
Taylor, Ebenezer 1 
Taylor, Phineas 1 
Taylor, Zebulon 1 
Thomas, Joseph 1 
Trowbridge, Stephen 3 
Trowbridge, Thomas 3 
Todd, Ebenezer 1 
Todd, Eli 1 
Tuttle, Nathan 1 
Turner, Jacob 1 
Turner, Lucius S. 1 
Turner, Titus 1 
Tryon, John 1 
Vaili, Benjamin 1 
Vaill, Joseph 2 
Warner, A. W. 1 



PROSECUTING ATTORNIES. 



233 



1821 Warren, Horace 1 

175G Warner, Reuben 2 

1800 Ward, William 1 
1791 Washburn, William 3 
1807 Waugh, James 1 
1754 Waugh, Robert 2 

1801 Waugh, Samuel 3 
1787 Wadsworth, Elijah 1 
1728 Walker, Josiah 1 
1784 Webster, Benjamin 2 
1777 Webster, Benjamin 1 
1807 Webster, Claudius 1 
1839 Webster, Lyman 1 
18fi4 Webster, Reuben 1 
1763 Wlch, David2 
1819 Welch, Garry P. 1 
1837 Wetmore, Elihu 2 
1782 Wetmore, Joseph 1 



1835 Whittlesey, Frederick 1 
1839 Whittlesey, Jabez 1 
1777 Whittlesey, Roger N. 5 
1857 Wheeler, Charles D. 1 
1847 Williams, Robert 2 
1808 Wilmot, Eli 1 
1787 Woodcock, Samuel 3 
1851 W^oodruff, Edward 4 
1816 Woodruff, Enoch J. 3 
1828 Woodruff, George C. 3 
1794 Woodruff, James, 1 
1753 Woodruff, Benjamin 1 
1763 Woodruff, Charles 2 
1812 Webster, Truman 2 
1758 Woodruff, Nathaniel 1 
1808 Wooster, Lemuel 1 
1791 Wright, Jonathan 2d 3 
1767 WesscUs, Lawrence 4 



IJrosccuting ^ttornks 
FOR THE COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD 

[king's ATTORNIES.] 

Samuel Pettibone, Goshen. 
J. Whitney, Canaan, 
lleynold Marvin, Litchfiekl. 
Andrew Adams, Litchfield. 

[state's ATTORNIES.] 

Andrew Adams, Litchfield. 

Tapping Reeve, Litchfield. 

John Canfield, Sharon. 

John Allen, Litchfield. 

Uriah Tracy, Litchfield. 

Daniel W. Lewis, Litchfield. 

Uriel Holmes, Jr., Litchfield. 

Elisha Sterling, Salisbury. 

Seth P. Beers, Litchfield- 

Samuel Church, Salisbury (and Litchfield.) 

Leman Church, Canaan. 

David C. Sanford, N. Milford (and Litchfield.) 

John H. Hubbard, Salisbury (and Litchfield.) 

Julius B. Harrison, New Milford. 

Gideon Hall, Winchester. 

Charles P. Sedgwick, Sharon, (now in office.) 

30 



234 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

(Jlorporatloits in Citcl)^tcl^. 



PHCENIX BRANCH BANK. 

[Incorporated in 1814.] 

PRESIDENTS. 
Benjamin Tallmadge 1814 

James Gould 182(J 

Asa Bacon 1833 

Theron Beach 1846 

George C. Woodruff 1852 

CASHIERS. 

James Butler 1814 

Austin Kilbourn 1821 

Henry A. Perkins 1826 

Charles Spencer 1828 

Theron Beach 1838 

Gustavus F. Davis 1839 

Henry R. Coit 1851 



12 

7 

14 

6 



7 
5 
2 

10 
1 

12 



DIRECTORS. 



[From 1814 to 1859- 

Benjamin Tallmadge 
Frederick Wolcott 
Aaron Smith 
James Gould 
Henry Wadsworth 
Elisha Sterling 
Solomon Rockwell 
Morris Woodruff 
Samuel Buel 
Seth P. Beers 
Joseph Battell 
Ithamer Canfield 
William Buel 
Jabez W. Huntington 
David Foot 
Erastus Hodges 
Charles L. Webb 
David S. Boardman 
Erastus Lyman 
Daniel Bacon 
Ozias Seymour 
Asa Bacon 
David C. Sanford 
Origen S. Seymour 



in the order of their election. | 

Samuel P. Bollcs 
Seth Thomas 
Theron Beach 
Elihu Harrison 
John C. Coffing 
Charles Doming 
George C. Woodruff 
William C. Sterling 
E. Champion Bacon 
Benjamin Deforest 
Oliver Goodwin 
Gustavus F. Davis 
Lemuel Hurlbut 
John Deforest 
David C. Whittlesey 
Jason Whiting- 
Gideon H, Hollister 
William H. Thompson 
Samuel Church 
Henry W. Buel 
Edward W. Seymour 
David L. Parmelee 
Abraham C. Smith 



OFFICERS OF BANKS IN LITCHFIELD. 235 

LITCIIPIELD SAYINGS BANK. 

[Incorprated in 1850.] 



PRESIDENTS. 

George C. Woodruff 1850 3 

Josiali G. Beckwith 1853 3 

Edwin B. Webster 1856 — 

VICE PRESIDENTS. 

Samuel P. Bolles 1850 1 

Josiah G. Beckwith 1851 2 

Samuel P. Bolles 1853 3 

Stephen Trowbridge 1856 2 

Jason Whiting 1858 — 

SECRETARIES AND TREASURERS. 
Gustavus F. Davis 1850 1 

Samuel P. Bolles 1851 1 

Henry R. Coit 1852 — 

DIRECTORS. 

[From 1850 to 1859— in the order of their election.] 

Seth P. Beers Oliver Goodwin 

Charles L. Webb William F. Baldwin 

Josiah G. Beckwith Jason Whiting 

Charles Adams Frederick D. McNiel 

Edwin B. Webster Jesse L. Judd 

Theron Beach Abraham C. Smith 

Gideon H. Hollister Chauncey M. Hooker 
Henry W. Buel. 



LITCHFIELD BANK, 

[Incorporated in 1856 — oi-ganized in 1867.] 



PRESIDENTS. 
William H. Crossman 1857 

Josiah G. Beckwith 1858 

CASHIERS. 
Edward L. Houghton 1857 

Frederick E. Harrison 1858 



. RECEIVERS, jAB-Hgf™: 



236 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

LITCHFIELD MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. 

[Incorporated in 1833.1 



PRESIDENTS. 

Phineas Miner 1833 

William Buel 1835 

William Beebe 1841 

Josiah G. Beckwith 1851 

SECRETARIES. 

Leonard Goodwin - 1833 

Sylvester Galpin 1834 

Jason Whiting 1841 

TREASURERS. 

Oliver Goodwin . 1833 

George C. Woodruff 1855 

DIRECTORS. 

[From 1833 to 1859 — in the order of their election ] 



2 

6 
10 



22 



Phineas Miner 
Oliver Goodwin 
Charles L. Webb 
Leonard Goodwin 
Samuel P. Bolles 
Origen S. Seymour 
Albert Sedgwick 
George C. Woodruff 
Tomlinson Wells 
Sylvester Galpin 
Jonathan Carrington 
Apollus Warner 
Wm. M. Burrall 
David C. Sanford 
Frederick Wolcott 
William Buel 
Elihu Harrison 
Joseph Adams 
Ebenezer W. Bolles 
John M. Holley 
Richard Smith 



Jason Whiting 
Lewis Smith 
Lucius Bradley 
Israel Coe 
Stephen Trowbridge 
William Beebe 
Samuel G. Braman 
Josiah G. Beckwith 
George D. Wadhams 
William H. Thompson 
Leman W. Cutler 
David C. Whittlesey 
Stephen Doming 
Robbins Battell 
A. S. Lewis 
Sheldon- Osborne 
Seth P. Beers 
Abijah Catlin 
Charles Adams 
Philip S. Beebe 



OFFICERS OF THE LITCHFIELD FExMALE ACADEMY. 



237 



LITCHFIELD FEMALE ACADEMY. 



[Incorporated in 1827.] 




PRESIDENTS. 




Frederick Wolcott 


1827 


10 


William Buel 


1837 


9 


Seth P. Beers 


1846 


8 


Samuel P. Bolles 


1854 dec 


;line( 


Josiah G. Beckwith 


1854 


— 


SECRETARIES. 




Truman Smith 


1827 


1 


John P. Brace 


1828 


4 


Leonard Goodwin 


1832 


3 


Elihu Harrison 


1835 


2 


Origen S. Seymour 


1837 


4 


Sylvester Galpin 


1841 


3 


Samuel P. Bolles 


1844 


10 


Henry R. Coit 


1854 


1 


Chauncey M. Hooker 


1855 


— 


TREASURERS. 




William Buel 


1827 


19 


Josiah G. Beckwith 


1846 


8 


Henry W. Buel 


1854 


— 


TRUSTEES. 




Frederick Wolcott 


Samuel P. Bolles 


i 


James Gould 


Sylvester Galpin 




William Buel 


Jason Whiting 




Phineas Miner 


J. G. Beckwith 




Seth P. Beers 


Albert Sedgwick 




Jabez W. Huntington 


Charles Adams 




Truman Smith 


Gideon H. Hollister 


John P. Brace 


Henry W. Buel 




John R. Landon 


William Deming 




Daniel Sheldon 


Henry R. Coit 




Leonard Goodwin 


David E. Bostwick 


Oliver Goodwin 


Frederick D. McNiel 


Elihu Harrison 


Chauncey M. Hooker 


Origen S. Seymour 


Stephen Deming 




Samuel Buel 


George C. Woodruff 



238 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

LITCHFIELD COUNTY 
HISTORICAL AND ANTIQUAMAN SOCIETY, 

[Incorpoi-ated in 1856.] 



PRESIDENT. 

Seth P. Beers, Litchfield, 1856 — 

VICE PRESIDENTS. 

George C. Woodruff, Litchfield, 1856 — 

John Boyd, Winchester, 1856 — 

Charles F. Sedgwick, Sharon, 1856 — 

Abijah Catlin, Harwinton, 1856 — 

Charles B. Phelps, Woodbury, 1856 dead. 

William Cothren, Woodbury, 1858 — 

SECRETARY. 

Payne Kenyon Kilbourn, Litchfield, 1856 — 

TREASURER. 

Charles Adams, Litchfield, 1856 — 

AUDITOR, 

Edwin B. Webster, Litchfield, 1856 — 

DIRECTORS. 
David L. Parmelee George C. Woodruff 

Herman L. Vaill James Richards 

D. E. Bostwick P. K. Kilbourn 

J. G. Beckwith. 



LITCHFIELD COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



[Incorporated in 1818. J 



OFFICEES FOE THE YEAR 1858-'9 
PRESIDENT, 

JOHN M. WADHAMS, Goshen. 

VICE PRESIDENTS, 

Royal A. Ford, Litchfield. 
George C. Hitchcock, Washington. 
Nathan Hart, Jr., Cornwall. 

corresponding secretary, 
J. G. Beckwith, Litchfield. 

recording secretary, 
William F. Baldwin, Litchfield. 

treasurer, 
E. W. Seymour, Litchfield. 



OFFICERS, ETC. 239 

LITCHFIELD VIGILANT SOCIETY. 



[Organized m 


1828.] 




PRESIDENTS. 




Stephen Russell 
Enos Stoddard 


Chosen. 

1828 
1832 


No. year 

4 

9 


Truman Kilbourn 


1834 


2 


Norman Kilbourn 


183G 


2 


Putnam Kilbourn 


1838 


3 


Luman Bishop 
Murray Kenney 
Daniel B. Stoddard 


1841 
1844 

1848 


8 
4 
1 


Prentice Parkhurst 


1849 


1 


Willis Stone 


1850 


1 


George Kenney 
William P. Kilbourn 


1851 

1853 


o 

3 


Daniel B. Stoddard 


1856 


1 


Sherman C. Keeler 


1857 


— 


SECRETARIES. 




Enos Stoddard 


1828 


4 


William Coe 


1832 


5 


Willis Stone 


1837 


2 


Leonard Kenney 
Lucius Wilmot 


1839 
1840 


1 

2 


Daniel B. Stoddard 


1842 


2 


Lucius Wilmot 


1844 


5 


Henry M. Pratt 


1849 


2 


Edward Woodruff 


1851 


3 


Homer Stoddard 


1854 


3 


H. L. Kenney 


1857 


— 


TREASURERS. 




William Coe 


1828 


5 


Putnam Kilbourn 


1833 


1 


Leonard Kenney 
Daniel B. Stoddard 


1834 

1837 


o 


Luman Bishop 
Harmon Stoddard 


1839 
1841 


2 
1 


Garry G. Potter 


1842 


2 


Prentice Parkhurst 


1844 


5 


Daniel B. Stoddard 


1849 


5 


David Kenney 
George Bradlev 


1854 

1857 


3 



240 HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

SuBtitutione, Societies, etc. 



THE ELM PARK COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE. 

^ IffarMng Mjal far lop. 

CORNER OF NORTH AND PROSPECT STREETS, LITCHFIELD. 



Rev. JAMES EICHARDS, D. D., Superintendent. 

English and Philosophical Teacher, & Lecturer on History and Physical Geography. 



JAMES RICHARDS, Jr., A. B., 

Professor of Ancient Languages and Mathematics. 



D. M. COE, 

Assistant Teacher of Mathematics. 



W. POWELLE, 

Instructor in French. 



R. VON SCHMIEDEBERG, 
(of Cornwall,) 

Instructor in German. 



BOARD OF VlSITORS-1859. 
G. C. Woodruff, Cyrus Catlin, 

Wm. Deming, p. K. Kilbourn, 

Henry W. Buel, Charles Adams. 



THE WOLCOTT INSTITUTE. 

^ loar^ing ^^^00! for §0gs. 

SOUTH STREET, LITCHFIELD 



Rev. D. G. WRIGHT, M. A., Rector. 



OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1859. 
Seth p. Beers, President. 
JosiAH G. Beckwith, Secretary. 
Wm. F. Baldwin, Treasurer. 
E. B. Webster, ^ 

H. N. Hudson, 

Wm. F. Baldwin, }■ Directors. 

J. G. Beckwith, I 

E. W. Seymour, J 



* Whila this work was in press, Mr. Wright resigned. The vacancy is not filled. 




I^I^^Hf/''' 



SCHOOLS, SOCIETIES, ETC. 241 

THE GOULD SEMINARY. 

North-street, Litchfield. 



Miss HARRIETTE STYLES, Principal. 
Miss WOODWARD, Assistant Principal. 



SPEINGHILL, 

LITCHFIELD, CONN. 

This Institution is now open for the reception of patients afflicted with Nervous 
Diseases. 

The design is to give the household as much the character of the family circle as 
possible, and to combine with this the most thorough medical treatment and super- 
vision. 

Tlie retired and healthful nature of the situation renders it well adapted to the pur- 
pose, and the House has been fitted up in the most complete manner for this special 
object. 

^ferms according to the accommodations required in each case. 

For further particulars, enquiries may be made of 

H. W. BUEL, 31. D. 



Connecticut Mining Company. 

[Office in Seymour's Building, South-street, Litchfield.] 

Officers for 1858-'9.— (Capital $200,000.) 

GEORGE G. WEST, President. 
JOHN W. BUELL, Secretary. 
H. H. K. ELLIOTT, Assistant Secretary. 
I. M. ASHTON, Treasurer. 

DIRECTOKS. 

I. W. Mickel, C. R. Moore, 

L. Wheeler, John W. Buell, 

W. H. Grossman, H. Daley, 

J. S. Fisher, A. B. Curtiss, 

G. G. West. 



LITCHFIELD COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 

President— H. M. KNIGHT, M. D., Salisbury. 

Secretary— D. E. BOSTWICK, 31. D., Litchfield. 

„ ,, ( D. B. W. Camp. 31. D., 1858. 

]^ellows, I George Seymour, 31.1)., 1859. 
31 



242 



HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 



Roll of Representatives from Litchfield. 



[First represented in the Legislature in 1740.] 



1740. 


May. 
October. 


1741. 


May. 
October. 


1742. 


May. 
October. 


1743. 


May. 
October. 


1744. 


May. 




October. 


1745. 
2d. 


May. 
May. 




October. 


1746. 


May. 
October. 


1747. 


May. 
October. 


1748. 


May. 




October. 


1749. 


May. 
October. 


1750. 


May. 
October. 


1751. 


May. 
October. 


1752. 


May. 
October. 


1753. 


May. 
October. 


1754. 


May. 
October. 


1755. 


May. 
October. 


1756. 


May. 




October. 


1757. 


May. 
October. 


1758. 


May. 
October. 


1759. 


May. 
October. 


1760. 


May. 
October. 


1761. 


May. 
October. 


1762. 


May. 
October. 


1763. 


May. 
October. 


1764. 


May. 
October. 


1765. 


May. 
October. 


1766. 


May. 
October. 


1767. 


May. 
October. 


1768. 


May. 
October. 


1769. 


May. 
October. 


1770. 


May. 



Joseph Bird, 
John Bird, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsli, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Edward Phelps, 
Edward Phelps, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Edward Phelps, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Thomas Harison, 
Thomas Harrison. 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Joseph Kilbouru, 
Joseph Kilbonru, 
Thomas Harrison, 
Ebenezer IMarsh, . 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Peter Buel, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Jacob Woodruff, 
Ebenezer ]\Iarsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Oliver \Volcott, 
Ebenezer Marsli, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Oliver Wolcott, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
David Welch, 



Ebenezer Marsh. 
John Buel. 
John Buel. 
Samuel Culver. 
Jacob Griswold. 
Jacob Griswold. 
John Bird. 
Joseph Bird. 
Joseph Bird. 
Joseph Bird. 
Joseph Bird. 
Isaac B.aldwin. 
Joseph Bird. 
Joseph Bird. 
Joseph Bird. 
Joseph Sauford. 
Joseph Sanford. 
John Bird. 
John Bird. 
Joseph Bird. 
Thomas Harrison. 
Thomas Han-ison. 
Thomas Harrison. 
Thomas Harrison. 
Thomas Harrison. 
Thomas Harrison. 
Benjamin Webstei-. 
Benjamin Webster. 
Benjamin Webster. 
Benjamin Webster. 
Thomas Harrison. 
Benj"amin Webster. 
Elisha Shelden. 
Peter Buel. 
Peter Buel. 
Peter Buel. 
Elisha Shelden. 
Elisha Shelden. 
Elisha Shelden. 
Elisha Shelden. 
Elisha Shelden. 
Elisha Shelden. 
Elisha Shelden. 
Elisha Shelden. 
Isaac Baldwin. 
Isaac Baldwin. 
Isaac Baldwin. 
Isaac Baldwin. 
Isaac Baldwin. 
Isaac Baldwin. 
Oliver Wolcott. 
Isaac Baldwin. 
Isaac Baldwin. 
Isaac Baldwin. 
John Marsh. 
John Marsh. 
John Marsh. 
John Marsh. 
Jacob Woodruff. 
Abraham Kilbourn. 
Abraham Kilbourn. 
Abraham Kilbourn. 



REPBESENTATIVES. 



243 





October. 


1771. 


May. 




October. 


1772. 


Jlay. 




October. 


1773. 


May. 




October. 


1774. 


May. 




October. 


1775. 


May. 




October. 


1776. 


May. 




October. 


1777. 


May. 




October. 


1778, 


May. 




October. 


1779. 


May. 




October. 


1780. 


May. 




October. 


1781. 


May. 




October. 


1782. 


May. 




October. 


1783. 


May. 




October. 


1784. 


May. 




October. 


1785. 


May. 




October. 


1786. 


May. 




October. 


1787. 


May. 




October. 


1788. 


May. 




October. 


1789. 


May. 




October. 


1790. 


May. 




October. 


1791. 


May. 




October. 


1792. 


May. 




October. 


1793. 


Slay. 




October. 


1794. 


May. 




October. 


1795. 


Jlay. 




October. 


1796. 


May. 




October. 


1797. 


May. 




October. 


1798. 


May. 




October. 


1799. 


May. 




Octobci-. 


1800. 


May. 




October. 


1801. 


Slay. 




October. 


1802. 


May. 




October. 


1803. 


]\Iay. 




October. 


1804. 


May. 




October. 



Oliver Wolcott, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Jedediali Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jcdediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
David Welch 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Abraham Bradley, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Jedediah Strong, 
Tapping Reeve, 
Ebenezer Marsh, 
Julius Deming, 
Julius Deming, 
Ephraim Kirby, 
Ephraim Kirby, 
Solomon Marsh, 
John Allen, 
Bezaleel Beebe, 
Ephraim Kirby, 
Ephraim Kirby, 
Ephraim Kirby, 
Moses Seymour, 
Moses Seymour, 
Moses Scjnnour, 
Moses Seymour, 
Moses Seymour, 
James Morris, 
]\Ioses Seymour, 
Jloses Seymour, 
Ephraim Kirby, 
Ephraim Kirby, 
Ephraim Kirby, 
Moses Seymour, 
Moses Seymour, 
James Morris, 
Moses Seymour, 
James Morris, 
James Morris,^^^ 
James Morria^w^*^ 
James Morris, ',1^" 



Aljraham Kilbourn. 

John Marsh. 

Lynde Lord. 

Lynde Lord. 

John Marsh. 

David Welch. 

David Welch. 

John Marsh. 

David Welch. 

David Welch. 

Abraham Bradley. 

Abraham Bradley. 

Andrew Adams. 

Andrew Adams. 

Andrew Adams. 

Andrew Adams. 

Andrew Adams. 

Andrew Adams. 

Andrew Adams. 

Andrew Adams. 
Andrew Adams. 
Andrew Adams 

Bezaleel Beebe. 

Bezaleel Beebe. 

Isaac Baldwin. 

Bezaleel Beebe. 

Isaac Baldwin, Jr. 
Isaac Baldwin. 
Isaac Baldwin, Jr. 

Abraham Bradley, 

Jedediah Strong. 
Jedediah Strong. 
■ Jedediah Strong. 
Ebenezer Benton. 
Jedediah Strong. 
Jedediah Strong. 
Uriah Tracy. 
Uriah Tracy. 
Uriah Tracy. 
Uriah Tracy. 
Uriah Tracy- 
Uriah Tracy. 
Uriah Ti-acy. 
Uriah Tracy. 
Bezaleel Beebe. 
Uriah Tracy. 
Joha Allen. 
Jolin Allen. 
John Allen. 
John Allen. 
Bezaleel Beebe. 
John Allen. 
John Allen. 
Ephraim Kirby. 
I{lphraim Kirby. 
Julius Deming. 
Ephraim Kirby. 
Ephraim Kirby. 
.lohn Welch. 
John Welch. 
James Morris. 
Ephraim Kirby. 
John Welch. 
Frederick Wolcott. 
Ephraim Kirby. 
Frederick Wolcott. 
Uriel Holmes. 
Uriel Holmes. 
Uriel Holmes. 



244 



HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 



1805. 


May. 


James ;Mon-is, 


Uriel Holmes. 




October. 


James Morris, 


Uriel Holmes. 


1806. 


IMay. 


Moses Seymour, 


Norman Buel. 




October. 


Uriel Holmes, 


Aaron Bradley. 


1807. 


May. 


Uriel Holmes, 


Aaron Bradley. 




October. 


Uriel Holmes, 


Aaron Bradley. 


1808. 


May. 


Aaron Bradley, 


Aaron Smith." 




October. 


Nathaniel Goodwin, 


Aaron Smith. 


1809. 


May. 


Nathaniel Goodwin, 


Aaron Smith. 




October. 


Nathaniel Goodwin, 


Aaron Smith. 


1810. 


May. 


Moses Seymonr, 


Aaron Bradley. 




October. 


Moses Seymour, 


Aaron Bradley. 


1811. 


May. 


Aaron Smith, 


Moses Seymour 




October. 


Moses Seymour, 


Aaron Smith. 


1812. 


May. 


Aaron Siiiith, 


Moses Seymour. 




October. 


Morris Woodruff, 


Aaron Sniith. 


1813. 


May. 


Aaron Smith, 


Morris Woodruff". 




October. 


Aaron Smith, 


Morris Woodi-ufl". 


1814. 


May. 


Aaron Smith, 


Morris Woodruff". 




October. 


Uriel Holmes, 


Morris Woodruff". 


1815. 


Maj'. 


William Beebe, 


Morris Woodruff". 




October. 


William Beebe, 


Jonathan Buel. 


1816. 


May. 


William Beebe, 


Jonathan Buel. 




October. 


William Beebe, 


Jonathan Buel. 


1817. 


May. 


Jonathan Buel, 


.Ephraim S. Hall. 




October. 


Jonathan Buel, 


Ephraim S. Hall. 


1818. 


May. 


Stephen RusseU, 


Ephraim S. Hall. 




October. 


Stephen Russell, 


Phineas Lord. 


1819. 


May. 


John Welch, 


Phineas Lord. 


1820. 


May. 


John Welch, 


Seth P. Beers. 


1821. 


May, 


Seth P. Beers, 


John Welch. 


1822. 


May. 


Seth P. Beers, 


John Welch. 


1823, 


May. 


Seth P. Beers, 


Phineas Miner. 


1824. 


May. 


David Marsh, 


Morris Woodruff". 


1825. 


May. 


David Marsh, 


Morris Woodruff. 


1826. 


May. 


Morris Woodruff", 


Reuben Webster. 


1827. 


May. 


Phineas Miner, 


William Beebe. 


1828. 


Maj'. 


Jabez W. Huntington, 


William Beebe. 


1829. 


May. 


Pliineas Miner, 


Morris Woodruff. 


1830. 


May. 


Stephen Russell, 


Morris Woodruff. 


1831. 


May. 


Stephen Russell, 


Truman Smith. 


1832. 


May. 


Truman Smith, 


Elihu Harrison. 


1833. 


May. 


William Beebe, 


Asa Hopkins. 


1834. 


May. 


Stephen Russell, 


Truman Smith. 


1835. 


May. 


Phineas Jliner, 


Elihu Harrison. 


1836. 


May. 


Morris Woodruff", 


Phineas Lord. 


1837. 


May. 


Morris Wooch'uff", 


Phineas Lord. 


1838. 


May. 


Samuel Buel, 


William Ray. 


1839. 


May. 


Samuel Buel, 


William Ray. 


1840. 


May. 


Frederick Buel, 


E. Chami)ion Bacon. 


1841. 


May. 


Frederick Buel, 


E. Champion Bacon. 


1842. 


May. 


Origen S. Seymour, 


Enos Stoddard. 


1843. 


May. 


Origen S. Seymour, 


Enos Stoddard. 


1844. 


May. 


Elisha S. Abernethy, 


Dan Catlin. 


1845. 


May. 


Charles -Adams, 


Dan Catlin. 


1846. 


May. 


David ]\Iarsh, 


George Seymour. 


1847. 


May. 


David Marsh, 


George Seymour. 


1848. 


May. 


Samuel P. Bolles, 


William V. Smedley. 


1849. 


^'^^• 


Origen S. Seymour, 


Christopher Wheeler. 


1850. 


May. 


Origen S. Seymour, 


Christopher Wheeler. 


1851. 


May. 


George C. Woodruff", 


Thomas M. Coe. 


1852. 


May. 


Josiah G. Beckwith, 


William Newton. 


1853. 


May. 


Josiah G. Beckwith, 


William Newton. 


1854. 


May. 


Frederick Buel, 


Samuel P. Bolles. 


1855. 


May. 


Philip S. Beebe, 


Samuel Brooker, Jr. 


1856. 


May. 


Josiah G. Beckwith, 


Garry H. i\Iinor. 


1867. 


May. 


Josiali G. Beckwith, 


Edward Pierpont. 


1858. 


May. 


IlenjI^Ji. Graves, 
I'^dWrcl W. Seymour, 


William Bissell. 


1859. 


.May. 


WiUiam Bissell. 



LITCHFIELD GRADUATES. 245 

NATIVE AND RESIDENT GRADUATES, 

INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE RECIVED HONORAKY DEGREES. 

Note. — This list is not designed to embrace the names of such as have received 
medical degrees only — tliougli some of the number have received the m. d. in audi- 
tion to other degrees. In the first column, the * indicates that the person whose 
name is given on tlie same line, was born in this town. The figures in the same col- 
umn denote the number of years the individual lived in Litclifield. The figures in 
tiie second column, indicate the year of graduation. The t after the name, indicates 
an honorary degree. The name of the college is given immediately after that of the 
graduate. 

Edward P.* Abbe, Yale, clergyman in Massachusetts. 

Frederick R. Abbe, Yale, " " 

Elislia S. Abernethy, Yale, lawyer — now resides in Bridgeport. 

Andrew Adams, ll. d., Yale, Chief Justice of Connecticut. 
John Alien,! Yale, lawyer and member of Congress. 

John W. Allen, t Yale, "lawyer of Cleveland, Ohio; member of Congress. 

Asa Bacon, Yale, an eminent lawyer — died in New Haven in 1857. 

E. Champion Bacon, Yale, lawyer, legislator — died at Seville, Spain, 1845. 

Fi-ancis Bacon, Yale, lawyei". Senator, Major General. 

Leonard W. Bacon, Yale-^present pastor of the First Church, Litchfield. 

Ashbel Baldwin, Yale, formerly Rector of St. Michael's, Litchfield. 

Charles A. Baldwin, Williams,' lawyer in State of New Yoi-k — died 1818. 

Isaac Baldwin, Yale, lawyer, legislator, clerk of the courts ; died in 1805. 

Isaac Baldwin, Jr, Yale, lawyer and legislator ; died in Pompey, N. Y., 1830. 

Isaac Baldwin. 3d, Yale, lawyer — died in 1844, 

Samuel S. Baldwin, Yale, lawyer — died in 1854. 

George Beckwith, Yale, pastor of the church in South Farms. 

Josiah G. Beckwith, m. d.. Union, a practicing physician in this town. 

L-yman Beecher, d. d., Yale, former pastor of the 1st Church in this town. 

Cliarles Beecher, Bowdoin, now pastor in Georgetown, Mass, 

Edwai-d Beecher, d. d-, Yale, late President Illinois College; author, etc. 

George Beecher, Yale, died while pastor of a church in Chilicothie, Ohio. 

Henry Ward Beecher, Amherst, pastor of Plymouth Church, Brooldyn. 

Thomas K. Beecher, Illinois, now pastor in Elmii-a, N. Y. 

William H. Beecher,t Yale, formerly pastor in Midnletowu, etc. 

Frederick D. Beeman, Yale, lawyerj and clerk of the courts. 

Amos Benedict, Yale, lawyer — died in this town in 1816. 

Andrew D. Benedict, Kenyon, Episcopal clergyman, 

Samuel Benedict, Trinity," late Ass't Rector Trinity church, N. Haven. 

Alfred H. Beers, m. d., Trinity, phj'-sician in Buffalo, N. Y. 

Geoi'ge W. Beers, Trinity, member of the Bar, Litchfield. 
_. - . John Bird, Yale, lawyer in Litchfield & Troy, N. Y. ; member of congress. 
1851 Edward Bissell, Yale, lawyer in Fondulac, Wisconsin. 

Oscar Bissell, Yale, pastor of a church in Westminster, N. H. 

William Bissell, m. d., Yale, physician in Salisbury. 

Noah Bishop, Yale, pastor of a church in or near Springfield, Ohio. 

John P. Brace, Williams, teacher, author, editor. 

Charles Loring Brace, Yale, author. Secretary Children's Aid Soc, N. Y. 

Jonathan Brace,t d. d.. Yale, now pastor of a church in Milford. 

John J. Brandagee, Yale, former Rector of St. Michael's, Litchfield. 

Solyman Brown, Yale, dentist, author-, clergyman. New York city. 

Frederick Buel, Yale, Agent American Bible Society, California. 

WiUiam P. Buel, m. d., Yale, physician on California steamer. 

Henry W. Buel, m. d., Yale, physician in his native town. 

David Buel, Jr., Williams, of Troy, N. Y., lawyer. Judge, regent univ'ty. 

Joshua D. Berry, Middlebury, late President Shelby College, Ky. 

Amos B. Beach, Union, late Rector St. Paul's, Bantam Falls. 

Horace Bushnell, d. d., Yale, pastor North Church, Hartford ; author, etc. 

David Butler, d. d ,t Washington, former Rector St. Michael's. 

Joseph E. Camp, Yale, pastor church in Northfield. 

Albert B. Camp, Yale, pastor in Bridgewater, Ashby, Mass., etc. 

Lynde Catlin, Yale, merchant, and President Merchants' Bank, N. York. 

John Catlin, Yale, teacher, iS:c., resides in Northfieid. 

Judah Champion, Yale, 2(1 pastor of the first church in this town. 

Amos Chase, Dartmouth, pastorrffcrch in South Farms. 
Samuel Church, ll. d., Yale, chi^Pfetice of Connecticut. 



* 


1848 


* 


1848 


10 


1825 


30 


1760 


26 


1791 


* 


1840 


48 


1793 


* 


1833 


* 


1838 


3 


1850 


* 


1776 


* 


1810 


65 


1735 


* 


1774 


* 


1801 


* 


1801 


9 


1766 


30 


1827 


16 


1797 


* 


1833 


16 


1822 


16 


1828 


* 


1834 


* 


1843 


16 


1833 


16 


1842 


— 


1800 


* 


1846 


* 


1847 


* 


1846 


* 


1839 


* 


1786 


* 


1851 


* 


1849 


* 


1853 


* 


1833 


* 


1812 


* 


1846 


6 


1850 


3 


1843 


* 


1812 


30 


1836 


15 


1826 


* 


1844 


* 


1805 


12 


1836 


? 


1832 


* 


1827 


10 


1833 


42 


1787 


* 


1822 


*■ 


1786 


* 


1839 


60 


1751 


27 


1780 


9 


1803 



24(> HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

John Churchill,t Yale, now pastor of a church in Woodbury. 

Timothy Collins, Yale, first pastor of the first church in this town. 

Ambrose Collins, Yale, went a missionary to the Indians, and died. 

Thomas Davies, Yale, former Rector of St. Michael's. 

William Doming, Yale, resides in his native town. 

George C. V. Eastman, Middlebury, Rector of church in Bantam Falls. 

Samuel Fuller, d. d.. Union, late President Kenyon CoUege, Ohio. 

Fisher Gay, Yale, colonel revolutionary army; legislator, magistrate. 

James Gould, ll. d., Yale, Judge Sup. Court, principal Law School. 

George Gould, Yale, of Troy, N. Y., now Judge Supreme Court, N. York. 

James R. Gould, Yale, lawyer, died in Augusta, Georgia, 1830. 

WiUiam T. Gould, Yale, Judge Court of Oyer and Terminer, Augusta, Ga. 

John M. Grant, Yale, colporteur in Maryland, &c. 

Wm. H. Guernsey, Yale, clergyman; died in Savannah, Ga., 1850. 

Luther B. Hart, Union, late pastor Baptist church. North Norfolk. 

Laurens P. Hickok, d. d., Union, now Vice President Union college. 

George A. Hickox, Trinity, now a practicing lawyer in this town. 

Gideon H. Hollister, Yale, lawyer, clerk of the coixrts, senator. 

Uriel Holmes, .Jr., Yale, lawyer, judge, member of congi'ess. 

Uriel Holmes, Jr., Yale, died July 3, 1818, while member Theo. Sem. And. 

Lemuel Hopkins,! m. d,, Yale, poet, &c. 

Dan Huntington, Yale, former pastor of the first church in this town. 

Charles P. Huntington, Harvard, now Judge Superior Court, Boston, Ms. 

Jabez W. Huntington, Yale, law j'er, judge, member'of congress, senator. 

William P. Huntington, Harvard, pastor in Mass. and Illinois; artist, etc. 

George J. Harrison, Union, now congregational minister in Milton. 

Isaac Jones, Yale, minister of St. Michael's parish. 

Benjamin Judd, Yale, pastor in Milton. 

James Kilbourn, Yale, pastor in Bridgewater, Middle Haddam, & Illinois. 

John Kilbourn, Yale, teacher in State of New York. 

P. K. Kilbourn, t Union, author of this volume. 

Ephraim Kirby,t Yale, lawyer, judge, author of" Kirby's Reports." 

Wm. H. Lewis, t d. d., Kenyon, Rector of Holy Trinity church, Brooklyn. 

Daniel W. Lewis, Yale, lawyer, state's attorney. ' 

Samuel Lyman, Yale, removed to Spi'ingfield, 'Mass. ; member of congi'css. 

Lynda Lord. Jr., Yale, died in his native town in 1813. 

Steplien Mason, Williams, former pastor in Washington, now in Michigan. 

Reynold Marvin, Yale, lawyer, king's attorney; died here, July 30, 1802. 

Samuel Marsh, Yale, lawyer in his native town, and in Norfolk, Va. 

Truman Marsh, Yale, Rector of St. Michael's 27 years ; died here in 1861. 

James Morris, Yale, teacher, magistrate, legislator, captain ; died 1820. 

James Morris, jr., Yale, tutor University ot Georgia; d. in Suubury, Ga. 

Reuben S. Morris, Yale, lawyer; died in Utica, N. Y., in 1832. 

D wight Moms, Union, lawyer in Bridgeport, judge of probate, legislator. 

Benjamin Osborn, Dartmouth, pastor in Tinmouth, Vt. ; author, d. 1818. 

Isaac Osborn, Dartmouth, farmer, teacher, deacon; died in Litchfield 1826. 

Jeremiah Osborn, Dartmouth, farmer, died in Litchfield in 1829. 

Jacob Osborn, Dartmouth, fanner and teacher, died in Litchfield in 1821. 

Ethan Osborn, Dartm'th, pastor Fairfield, N. J., 54 yi's; d. in his lOOtli yr. 

Solomon Palmer, Yale, Rector of St. Michael's; d. in this town in 1771. 

Benjamin Palmer, Yale, died in 1780. 

John M. Peck, i>. D.,t Harvard, Baptist pastor in Illinois; author; d. 1858. 

Wm. G. Peck,t Trinity, (also at West Point,) Prof Mat. Colum. Col., N. Y. 

James Peck, Union, merchant at La Crosse, Wisconsin. 

Amos Pettingill, Harvard, pastor church in South Farms — 1816 toil822. 

John H. Pettingill, Yale, District Secretary Am. Board — Albany, N. Y. 

804 John Pierpont, Yale, clergyman in Boston, author, lecturer, poet. 

Charles Perkins, Yale, lawyer, died in London, (Eng.,) Nov 18, 1856, je 64. 

Tapping Reeve, ll. d., Princeton, chief justice of Connecticut. 

Aaron Burr Reeve, Yale, lawyer in Troy, N. Y., died in 1809. 

Tapping Burr Reeve, died in Litclxfiekrin 1829. 

James Richards, d. d.. Union, now Principal Elm Park Col. Institute. 
James Richards, jr., Princeton, Pi-ofessor Ancient Lan. and Mat. in do. 
Rollin Sanford, Yale, merchant in Brooklyn, N- Y. ; candidate for congress. 

Horatio Seymour, ll. d., Yale, lawyer, v. S. Senator from Vt 12 years. 

Origen S. Seymour, Yale, member of congi-ess, judge Superior Court. 

Edward W. Seymour, Yale, lawyer, member present House of Represent's. 

Elisha Sheldon, Yale, legislator and judge; died in Litchfield in 1779. 

Elisha Sheldon, m. d., Yale, died in 1832; buried m Litchfield. 



* 


1844 


54 


1718 


* 


1758 


— 


1758 


* 


1811 


— 


1829 


9 


1822 


* 


1759 


47 


1791 


* 


1827 


* 


1824 


* 


1816 


* 


1839 


* 


1844 


* 


1849 


7 


1820 


7 


1851 


16 


1840 


32 


1784 


* 


1816 


8 


1784 


11 


1794 


* 


1822 


27 


1806 


* 


1824 


6 ^ 


L843 


40 ] 


792 


3 


1791 


* 


L837 


15 


1840 


* 


1853 


* 


1787 


* 


1844 


— ] 


L788 


6 ] 


770 


* 


1783 


* ] 


1812 


50 ] 


748 


* ] 


1786 


* 


1786 


* ] 


1775 


* 


1803 


* ] 


804 


* - 


1838 


* ] 


775 


* 


779 


* 


779 


* ] 


784 


* 1 


784 


13 ] 


729 


? 1 


750 


* 1 


853 


* 1 


853 


* 1 


842 


6 ] 


L807 


* 


1837 


* 1 


804 


25 1 


813 


50 1 


763 


* 1 


802 


* ] 


829 


— ] 


833 


— ] 


858 


* 1 


831 


* 1 


797 


* ] 


824 


* 1 


853 


25 1 


730 


* 1 


800 



LITCHFIELD PHYSICIANS. 247 

* Richard Skinner, ll. D.,t Middlebury, Governor and chief justice of Vt. 

25 1790 Aaron Smith, Yale, lawyer, legislator and merchant ; d. in this town in 1834. 

7 1806 Lucius Smith, Yale, merchant, colonel in war with Gt. Britain, clergyman. 

45 1757 Reuben Smith, Yale, physician, magistrate, county treasurer; died in 1804. 
35 1815 Truman Smith, Yale, lawyer, member of congress, U. S. Senator. 

* 1761 Jedediah Strong, Yale, member continental congress, legislator, etc. 
3 1823 John S. Stone, D. D., Union, former Rector of St. Michael's. 

— 1838 Benjamin VV. Stone, Trinity, " " " " 

* 1857 Storrs 0. Seymour, Yale, now a student of theology. 

* 1822 Wilham Sheldon, Yale, merchant, died in France in 1826. 

10 1844 Benjamin L. Swan,t Yale, now pastor of a church in Stratford. 

52 1773 Benjamin Tallmadge, Yale, member of congress 16 yeai's. • - 

* 1830 Benjamin Tallmadge, jr.f Yale, Lieut. U. S. N. ; d. off Gibraltar in 1830. 

* 1811 Frederick A. Tallmadge, Yale, Recorder N. Y. city, member of congress. 
28 1778 Uriah Tracy, Yale,lawyer, member of congress, U. S. Senator, General. 

* 1778 Joseph Vaill, Dart'th, pastor in Hadlyme ; d. 1838 after a ministry of 58 yrs. 

* 1824 Hermon L, Vaill, Yale, pastor in East Lyme; also Seneca Falls, N. Y. 

* 1848 Louis F. Wadsworth, Trinity, lawyer in N. Y. city, Dep. Clerk Assembly. 

* 1837 Charles Wadsworth, d. d.. Union," pastor Arch st. church, Philadelphia. 

* 1795 Holland Weeks, Dartmouth, pastor in Waterbury, and in Vermont. 
? 1809 William R. Weeks, D. d., Princeton; d. 1848, je. 66. 

* 1778 John Welch, Yale, merchant, judge, legislator; died in 1844. 

* 1805 William Welch, Yale, captain U. S. A. ; died in the public sei-vice in 1811. 

* 1827 William H. Welch, Yale, late chief justice of Minnesota Territory. 

46 1747 Oliver Wolcott, ll. d.. Governor, Signer Declaration of Independence. 

* 1778 Oliver Wolcott, jr, ll. d., Yale, Governor, Secretary U. S. Treasury, etc. 

* 1786 Frederick Wolcott, Yale, lawyer, legislator, judge of probate. 

* 1779 Ezekiel Woodruff, Yale, lawyer. Adjutant revolutionary army. 

* 1849 Curtis T. Woodruff", Yale, Rector Episcopal church in Woodbury. 

* 1825 George C. Woodrufi", Yale, lawyer, legislator, judge of pi-obate. 

* 1857 George M. Woodruff, Yale, now a law student in Cambridge, Mass. 

* 1830 Lewis B. Woodruff, Yale, now a Judge Superior Court, New York city. 

* 1809 Simeon Woodruff, Yale, clergyman, settled at the West. 

* 1836 Lucius H. Wooih-uff. Yale, teacher in Insane Retreat, Hartford; d. in 1852. 

* 1803 Samuel Whittlesey, Yale, pastor at Washington and elsewhere. 

2 1851 Junius M. Willey, Trinity, Rector of St. Michael's; now in Waterbury. 



Physicians who have Practiced in Litchfield. 

Note. — The * designates natives of this town. J Those who received the M. D. 

Timothy Collins, from Guilford, the first clergj^man and physician in the town, 

preached and practiced here from 1721 till his death in 1777. 
Thomas Little, from Taunton, came here about 1747 — died in Northfleld of old age 
Seth Bird,* b. Jan, 4, 1733-'4 ; died in this town in 1804. 
Daniel Huntington, practitioner and druggist; d. in Woodbury Feb. 19, 1819. 
Phineas Bradley, practitioner and druggist; became Ass't P. M. Gen'l U. States. 
Samuel Catlin,"* b. Nov. 6, 1739; lived to old age, and died in his native town. 
Hosea Hulbert,J removed to Fairfield county. 

Daniel Sheldon, | a native of Hartford, practiced here from 1781 until his death. 
Phineas Smith.* b. Oct. 27, 'f759; lived and died in his native town. 
Comfort Bradley,* lived and died in native town. 

Partridge Parsons,* b. Aug. 22, 1763 , d. in Pen Yan, N. Y., May 9, 1846, aged 83. 
Robert Catlin,* surgeon, b. March 29, 1773 : d. in his native town in 1823. 
Abel Cathn,* b. March 18, 1770: died in his native town January 13, 1856. 
John M. West,t died in this town July 27, 1836, aged 47. 
Reuben S. Woodward,! died in Northfield in 1849, aged 83. 
Isaac Marsh,* died in Cornwall, Sept. 1, 1829, aged 53. 
Joseph Parker, died in South Farms, Feb. 6, 1830, aged 70. 

William Buel,*t President State Medical Soc, d. in this town, Oct. 15, 1851, je. 84. 
Samuel Buel,*t died in this town, July 10, 1854, aged 72. 
Alanson Abbe, J now resides in Boston. 
Manly Peters, J now resides in Knoxville, Tennessee. 
Norman Landon,*f died in this town in 1830. 
John W. Russell,*J now resides in Mount Vernon. Ohio. 
Josiah Barnes, t now resides in Buffalo, N. Y, 



248 HISTOEY OP LITCHFIELD. 

Moses A. Lee4 died while Professor in the Medical College at Pittsfield, Mass. 

Anson Wildman, practitioner and druggist: present residence unknown. 

John S. Wolcott,t* (son of the last Gov. Wolcott,) died in this town in 1844. 

Reuben M. Woodruft;*J died in this town April 29, 1849, aged 38. 

Chai-les Vaill,*J now resides in Rochester, N. Y. 

Garry H. Minor,| a native of Woodbury, now resides in South Farms. 

Benjamin Welch, jr., J from Norfolk, now resides in t'ahsbury. 

.Caleb Ticknor,J died in New York, Sept. 7, 1840, aged 36. 

Samuel R. Childs,j: now resides in Saratoga Springs. 

William Deming, jr.,*! now resides in Lenox, Mass. 

James K. Wallace,* now a practitioner at Bantam Falls. 

George Seymour,*t now a practicing physician in this village. 

A. Sidney Lewis,*| " " " 

Eliada Osborn,*t " " " 

David E. Bostwick,*|: " " " 

Orson Buel,* (botanic,) " " " 

D. B. W. Camp,*| " " Northfield. 



Physicians born in Litchfield but who practiced elsewhere. 

[Not included in either of the foregoing Lists.] 

Judah Champion Landon, (son of J. R. Landon, Esq.) died in Kentucky a few years. 

John Ward Birge, now of Utica, N. Y. 

Levi Moulthrop, died in eai'ly manhood at Eockford, Illinois. 

Timothy Pierce, died at the South. 

Clark Sanford, settled in Stamford and died there. 

Jolm Stoddard emigrated westward. 

Asa Barnes, settled in Virginia. 

Burr Reeve Abbe, Boston, Mass. 

Charles W. Grant, now resides at lona, near Newburgh, N. Y. 

Aaron W. Gibbs, now of Chicago, Illinois. 

Samuel Catlin, jr, formerly of Watertown : now in Michigan. 

Egbert Guernsey, author, f rofessor, and practitioner. New York city. 

Ozias Lewis, jr, of Kosciusco, Mississippi. 

Isaac W. Russell, died in Mount Vernon, Ohio. 

Joseph W. Camp, late of Bristol — now of Wisconsin. 

Fred'k B. Woodward, former physician iu Woodbury — now Rector ch. in Bethany. 

Asa C. Woodward, now of Bethany. 

Elijah A. Woodward, now of Madison, Wisconsin. 

Warren Smith, died in Stillwater, N. Y., Nov. 1805. 

Ephraim Smedley, of North East, Pennsjdvania. 

Abel Brace, of Catskill, N. Y. — late coroner of Green co. 

Henry Holmes, of Hartford — Health Officer, Alms House Physician, Coroner. 

George Bissell, late of Dutches county, N. Y., now of California. 

Charles J. Kilbourn, of Stanfordville, Dutches co., N. Y. ; died in this town in 1852. 

James B. Kilboui-n, of Hinds county. Miss.; died th#ein 1837. 

Washington Lwing Wright, surgeon in the U. S. Army. 

Oliver Wolcott, died in California in 1856. A son of Colonel Oliver S., he was the 

last of the Wolcotts in the line of the three Governors. His remains were brought 

to Litchfield for interment. 
Joseph Hall, diedrecently at North East, Penn. 
Augustus Bissell, Pennsylvania. 
Daniel H. Moore, died in New Haven in 1849. 
Walter Peck, died in Goshen Nov. 8, 1834, aged 24. 
Horatio M. Baldwin, died in Binghamton, N. Y., in 1842. 
Marcus M. Wood, of Greene, Chenango county, N. Y. 
Henry Pierpont, of Naugatuck. 
Chai'ies H. Webb, of Woodbury. 
Zephaniah Webb, of New York city. 
Moses M. Seymour, of Painesville, Ohio. 



LITCHFIELD. 249 

Town of Litchfield. 

The town of Litchfield is situated near the geograpiiical centre of- the County of 
Litclifield, of which it is tlic shire town or seat of justice. It is claimed, (by tliose 
who have from time to time sought to divide it,) that it is the largest townsliip in the 
State — being eiglit miles north and south, by nine miles east and west. It is 32 miles 
west of Hartford, 35 mile north-westerly from New Haven, and about 100 miles north- 
easterly from New York. It is bounded north by Cornwall, Goshen and Torrington ; 
south by Bethlem, Watertown and Plymouth; east by Harwinton, from which it 
is separated by the Naugatuck river; and west by Warren and Washington. Tlie 
Naugatuck, S'hepaug and Bantam rivers, and some of their branches, pass throixgh 
the town, affording an abundance of water-power. Bantam Lake, which lies wholly 
in this town, is the largest lake in the State, covering an area of 900 acres. The 
Little Pond covers about 15 acres; and Cranberry Pond is still smaller. Mount Tom 
Pond lies partlj"- in Washington and partly in this town. The surface of the town is 
gently rolling, here and there breaking into abrupt ridges or bluf!s. The highest of 
these is Mount Tom, some six miles south-west of the village, which reaches an al- 
titude of 700 feet above the river at its base, or, according to President Dwight, 
1500 feet above the level of tide-water. From Prospect Mountain, about four miles 
west of the Court House, may be seen the Cattskill mountains, west of the Hudson. 
A large proportion of the land in the vaUies and on the hill-sides, is easily tilled, and 
yields abundant crops. The balance is profitably used for meadow, pasturage and 
wood-land. Some of the most beautiful and diversity landscapes in New England, 
are to be met Avith in this town. In ISOO, the total amount of the Grand List of Litch- 
field was $107,164 27— of which sum $51,687 67 was for the First Society ; $26,882 02 
for South Farms; $14,740 45 for Northfield; $13,855 13 for Milton. In 1810, there 
were in the town 4087 acres of plow-land ; 7298 acres of meadow and clear pasture ; 966 
acres of boggj^ meadow that was mowed; 294 acres do. not mowed; other meadow 
1312 acres; 9343 acres bush pasture; 4408 acres first rate wood-land ; 3789 acres 2d 
rate do. ; 4756 acres 3d rate do. Since that date, the plow-land, meadow and cleared 
pasture, have greatly increased; while the area of wood-land has decreased in a like 
ratio. Wood is now so scarce and high in our borough market, that some of our 
people have already commenced burning Pennsylvania mineral coal. 

Litchfield contains four incorporated Ecclesiastical Societies and twenty-eight 
School Districts. The societies are, Litchfield, South Farms, Northfield, and Milton. 

The Naugatuck Railroad runs through the entire length of the township from nortli 
to south — fhe Litchfield Station being about four miles from the Court House. 

The population of Litchfield in 1756, was 1,366; in 1774, it was 1,554; in 1800, it 
was 4,287 ; in 1810, it was 4,639. From this time, the tide of emigi-atiou began to 
set so strongly westward that our popiilation commenced decreasing. In 1820, the 
census-taker gave lis 4,610; while in 1850, our population was but 3,987. 

In hotly contested elections, more than 1,000 votes have been polled in this town. 

Though the population of the Town has thus decreased, the Borough has gradually 
increased its numbers, and has been constantly improving in rural beauty. 

In 184S-'9 the New England Mining Company commenced mining for copper in the 
"Pitch," four miles south-east of this village; and about the same time, another 
compan}' with the famous P. T. Barnum at its head, began digging in the same vicin- 
ity. Both these companies were UHSUCcessful. Barnum, in his examination before 
his creditors in New York, put down as one item of loss, " $10,000 sunk in a Litchfield 
copper mine." 

In other jiartsof the town, however, miners have met with better success. About 
two miles north-east of the village, on the form of Mr. Beach, a shaft has been sunk 
25 feet in depth, by Messrs. Sedgwick and Buell. The vein or lode is 14 feet in width, 
composed ot pure quartz, with a slight mixture of felspar. In this vein is found a 
very pure gray Copper Ore, yielding by analj'sis 79 1-2 per cent, of copper. A 
bevel has been driven 140 feet, which whe completed, will intersect the vein at 50 
feet in depth. In this vein are also found great quantities of small pure garnets, 
which are as yet too small to be made valuable as articles of commerce. This vein, 
bearing nearly a north and south direction, can be traced for a distance of three miles. 
On the farm "of Mr. Gilbert, half a mile from this location, was recently (bund an old 
shaft, 15 feet deep, which is supposed to have been sunk long before the Revolution. 
This has been cleaned out, and sunk 30 feet upon a small vein of iron and copper run- 
ning together. The quantity of copper found is not yet sufficient to render the dig- 
ging profitable — the mine having been but partially developed. 

The lands of the Connecticut Mining tlornpany, on Prospect Mountain, jjromise an 
abundant return for funds invested and labor jjerformed. Uisintercsted parties who 
have visited these lands, and others who have analyzed and smelted tlieir cojiper, 
nickel and silver ores, pronounce the per centage of pure metal to bo much greater than' 
that of some the celebrated English mines. TJ||^ enterprizc is this company deserves 
and will receive a rich reward. 

32 



250 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Litchfield Borough Corporation. 

At the May Session of the Legislature of this State, 1818, the inhabitants of this 
village presented their memorial, praying for a Borough Charter. In their petition 
they state that " the houses are as contiguous as they are in many of our cities ; that 
the Public Schools, which for many years have been established in this village, make 
a great addition to its ordinary population;" that on account of their local situation 
and compact settlement, they are, as they conceive, in an iTnusual degree exposed to 
injury from fire," &c. The application was successful ; and the petitioners and their 
associates, residing within the limits prescribed, " were constituted and declared to 
be forever thereafter, a body corporate in fact and in name, by the name of the Cor- 
poration of the Village of Litchfield.^'' The powers vested in the corporation were 
similar to those of the ordinary borough charters of this state, viz., to levy taxes for 
the purchase of fire-engines, fire-hooks, ladders, and such other improvements as 
shoiTld be deemed necessary to protect the village against fires; to order and direct in 
all matters relating to side-walks, shade-trees, and the sinking of public wells and 
pumps ; to restrain cattle, sheep, and geese from running at large in the public high-, 
ways; and to pass such by-laws and regulations, with suitable penalties attached, as 
might, from to time, be thought necessary for the attainment of the objects contem- 
plated in the chai'ter. The officers designated in kthe act of incorporation, were, a 
President, Treasurer, and Clerl; (who were in all cases to be chosen by ballot,) a 
Collector of Taxes, and a number of Fire- Wardens not to exceed ten, together with 
such other officers not enumerated as should be jnecessarj' to carry the by-laws and 
the provisions of the charter into efiect. In case the collector should refuse or neglect 
to collect the tax according to the tenor of the warrant committed to him, the Presi- 
dent must "issue his warrant directed to the Sheriff of the county of Litchfield, or 
liis deputy, to distrain the sums or rates neglected by such collector to be collected, 
to be paid out of the estate of said collector." The Assessoi's were to be appointed 
by the County Court. 

The first meeting of the inhabitants of the Boi-ough under the charter, was held on 
the 17th of June, 1818, .at which the following oflicers were elected, viz., Hon. Fred- 
erick WoLCOTT, President; Dr. William Buel, Treasurer; and Joseph Adams, 
Clerk. A committee |of five was appointed to prepare a code jof Bj^-Laws for the 
Borough, viz. Setli P. Beers, Julius Deming, Asa Bacon, Phineas Miner, and Ozias 
Lewis. At an adjourned meeting holden on the 20th of June, it was voted to choose 
a Baihff by ballot; and Dr. Abel Catlin was elected to that office. Benjamin Tall- 
madge, Asa Bacon and Charles L. Webb, were appointed a Committee of Inspection; 
and Ashbel Marsh was chosen Key Keeper. 

These gentlemen constituted the first list of officers of our corporation. It ^s sad 
to note the inroads which death has made in their ranks in the lapse of forty years. 
The President, Treasurer, Clerk, and Bailift", together with Messrs. Deming, Miner, 
Tallmadge and Bacon, are all with the dead. 

At the regular annual meeting in September, 1818, Judge Wolcott was re-elected 
President; Dr. Buel, Treasurer; and Mr. Adams, Clerk; Alessrs. Roger Cook, Am- 
brose Norton, Moses Seymour, Jr., Oliver Goodwin and James Trowbridge, were 
chosen Fire Wardens. At an adjourned meeting, Asa Bacon, Esq., was chosen 
Bailiff; Charles L. Webb, Leonard Goodwin, Jonathan Carrington, and Ambrose 
Norton, Assistant Bailifts ; and Leonard Goodwin, Collector. 

The first Board of Assessors consisted of Erastus Lyman, Esq., Gen. Moiris 
Woodruff', and John N. Guun, Esq. The amount of the Grand List of the Borough, 
Oct., 1818,) as returned by the Assessors, was $128,913.65. 

In 1820, the Hon. Uriel Holmes was elected President of the Borough. Tu 1824, he 
was succeeded by Dr. William Buel, who held the office for twelve years. His suc- 
cessors have been the Hon. Phineas Miner, Joseph Adams, Esq., Dr. J. G. Beckwith, 
Garwood Sauford, Henry B. Graves, and P. K. Kilbourne, F. D. Beeman, and John H. 
Hubbard. 

In 1823, the second general assessment of the village was made by Samuel Sey- 
mour, Frederick Wolcott, and Jonathan Camngton, Esqrs., (gentlemen appointed for 
that purpose by the County Court,) and did not differ materially in amount from that 
made in 1818. The .asse'ssment of 1835 amounted to $140,627; that of 1853, to 
$143,525; showing a gradual increase in the actual value of the real estate of our vil- 
lage, from the date of its incorporation to the present time. 

The village now (1859) contains something over 200 dwellings, stores, offices, and 
shops ; 4 houses of Public Worship, three of which have chapels annexed ; a Court 
House, Jail, and County House; two Banks, one Savings Bank, one weekly news- 
paper, three Hotels, an Insurance Office, three Public Halls in addition to the Town 
Hall and Court Room, three High Schools, (one for young ladies and two for 
young gentlemen;) also, it is the residence of five clergymen, seven physcians, and 
ten lawyers, exclusive of those who have summer residences here. 



SOROUGH OP LITCHFIELD. 251 

Professor Benjamin Silt-tman, LL. D., of Yale College, in 1820, published in his 
Journal of Science, an account of a Journey through New England. Of this vil- 
lage he says : 

" Litchfield Hill is a beautiful spot. One principal street, (intersected, however, 
by some cross streets,) extends more than a mile in length, and contains a collec- 
tion of very handsome houses, with gardens and court-yards. The houses and 
appendages are generally painted white; and it is rare to see so considerable a 
number of houses in a country town, where nearly all apparently belong to the 
gentry. In £iir/land, such a town would be a wonder; and here, connected as it is 
with the rich agricultural country whicli surromid-i it, swolle 1 into bciutiful hills and 
scooped into luxuriant vallies, everywhere crowned with lively verdure and with cul- 
tivated fields — it presents a very interesting and gratifying spectacle " 

COUNTY OFFICERS, PROFESSIONAL MEN, MERCHANTS, &c., 
Residing in the Borough of Litchfield — 1859. 

High Sheriff. — Leverett W. Wessells. 

Deputy Sheriff. — Edward 0. Peck. 

County Clerk. — Fi-ederick D. Beeman. 

County Treasurer. — Charles L. Webb. 

Justices op the Peace. — Charles Adams, John H. Hubbard, Henry B. Graves i 
George C. Woodruff, P. K. Kilbourn, Edward W. Seymour, Frederick D. Becraan, 
Wm. L. Ransom,'G. A. Hickox. 

Members of the Bar. — Seth P. Beers, (retired from practice,) Origen S. Sey- 
mour, (Judge Superior Court,) George C. Woodruff, John H. Hubbard, Gideon H. 
HoUister, Henry B. Graves, George W. Beers, William L. Ransom, E. W. Seymour, 
Frederick D. Beeman, George A. Hickox. 

Physicians. — Josiah G. Beckwith, A. S. Lewis, George Seymour, David E. Bost- 
wick, Henry W. Buel, Eliada Osborn. Orson Buel, Botanic. 

Clergymen. — Leonard W. Bacon, pastor 1st congregational church; H. N. Hudson, 
Rector St. Michael's church; James Richards, D. D., Principal Ellm-Park Collegiate 
Institute; Joshua D. Berry, Rector Episcopal church, Plymouth; William Howard, 
pastor 1st Methodist church. 

Merchants.— Charles'L Webb, J. G. Beckwiih, W. F. & G. H. Baldwin, Silas 
N. Bronson, Wm. Wheeler, C. Rinehart, Charles F. Bishop, Theodore S. Sedgwick, 
A. C. Smith, George Muuger, Frederick D. McNiel, Wm. H. Braman, L. Meafoy, 
Wm. Munson, Henry W. Adams, Samuel Clock. Thomas H. Richards, Edward Coe. 

Dentists. — E. W. Blake, Edward Grossman.; 
Dagmrrcotypist — Jesse L. Judd. 
Jewellers. — Reuben Merriman, Christian Rinehart. 
Furniture Ware-house. — David C. Bulkeley. 
Dealer in Stoves, tj-c. — Garwood Sanford. 
■ Meat- Markets. — Robert Merriman, Egbert T. Warner. 

The professional men now residing in other parts of the town are — Rev. David L. 
Parmelee, pastor congregational church in South Farms; Rev. George J. Harrison,' 
minister congregational church in Milton; Rev. J. R. Williams, Rector St. Paul's, 
Bantam Falfs, and Trinity, Jlilton; Rev. Jackson Ganun, jiastor of the Baptist cliurch 
in Ijantara Falls; Rev. Hei'mon L. Vaill, retired congregational minister. Dr. Garry 
H. Minor, South Farms; Dr. D. B. W. Camp, Northfield; Dr. .lames K. Walhicc, 
Bantam Falls. 

[Of the 14 practicing physicians in this town thirty years ago, (1829,) two only re- 
main among us, Dr. Beckwith, of this village, and Dr.' Minor, of South Farms. J 



[From the Litchfield Monitor.] 

Litchfield, March 29th, 1785. — "Died on the 27th inst., in this town, Mrs. Sarah 
McNeil, wife of Ca[)t. Archibald McNeil, in the 73d year of her age. She scared 
largely in the vicissitudes of fortune. In her native country she was brought ui> 
under easy affluent circumstances. In crossing the Atlantic they were slii])wrecked, 
lost their only child, and an aflSuent fortune. By the Divine blessing upon their inde- 
fatigable industry, they procured a handsome interest. To her, emphatically, be- 
longed that character of ar virtuous woman, Prov. xxxi. She was very steady and 
devout in her attendance upon divine worship and ordinances — was exemjjlary pious, 
and hopefully died in the Lord, Her works do follow her." 



252 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

Temperance in Litchfield Seventy Years Ago. 

[Said to have been the earliest Temperance Organization in the world.] 
" So many are the avenues leading to human misery, tliat it is impossible to guard 
them all. Such evils as are produced by our own folly and weakness are within our 
power to avoid. The immoderate use which the people of^this State make of Dis- 
tilled Spirits, is undoubtedly an evil of this kind. It is obvious to every person of 
tlic smallest observation, that from this pernicious practice follows a train of evils 
dithcult to be enumerated. The morals are corrupted, property is exhausted, and 
health destroyed. And it is most sincerely to be i-egretted that from a mistaken idea 
that distilled spirits are necessary to laboring men, to counteract the influence of 
heat, and give relief from severe fatigue, that a most valuable class of citizens have 
been led to contract a habit of such dangerous tendency. Hence arises the inability 
to pay public taxes, to discharge private debts, and to support and educate families. 
Seriously considering this subject, and the frowns of Divine Providence in denying 
many families in this part of the country the means of a comfortable subsistance the 
present year, by failure of the principal crops of the earth; we think it peculiarly the 
duty of every good citizen to unite his efforts to reform a practice which leads so 
many to poverty, distress, and ruin. Whereupon we do hereby associate, and mutu- 
ally agree, that' hereafter we will carry on our business without the use of distilled 
Spirits as an article of refreshment, either for ourselves, or those whom we employ, 
and that instead thereof, we will serve our workmen with wholesome food, and com- 
mon simple drinks of our own production. 

Ephraim Kirby, Archibald McNeil, 

Timothy Skinner, Abraliam Bradley, 

David Buel, I. Baldwin, Jr., 

Julius Deming, T. Reeve, 

Benjamin Tallmadge, Collier & Adam. 

Uriah Tracy, Tobias Cleaver, 

Ebenezer Marsh, Amos Galpin, 

Moses Seymour, Thomas Trowbridge, 

Samuel Marsh, S. Shcthar, 

James Stone, Solomon Buel, 

Samuel Seymour, Bryant Stoddard, 

Daniel She'ldon, , Abraham Feck, 

Ozias Lewis, Frederick Wolcott, 

Lawrence Wessells, Nathaniel Smith 2d, 

Elijah Wadsworth, John Allen, 

Alexander Catliu, John Welch, 

Reuben Smith, Arthur Emmons. 

Lynde Lord, 
By Necessity and on Principle, in consequence of little experiment aud much ob- 
servatiou, I have effectually adopted and adhered to the salutary plan herein pro- 
posed during several months past, and am still resolved to persevere until convinced 
that any alteration will be productive of some greater good, whereof at present I have 
no apprehensions whilst Human Nature remains the same. 

Litchfield, dih May, 1789. J. STRONG." 

Slavery in Litchfield. 

From sixty to eighty years ago, many of the wealthy people in this town owned 
negro slaves. Some were voluntarily emancipated by their owners; while others 
were liberated bv the laws which have from time to tinae been passed on the subject. 
In 1800, the census shows only seven slaves in this town. The _' institution' is now 
extinct among us, though some who were born slaves are still living hei-e. 

The following document, executed by the first Governor OHver Wolcott, we find on 
our town records : 

" Know all men by these presents, that I, Oliver Wolcott, of Litchfield, in the 
state of Connecticut, in expectation that my negi-o servant man, Casar, will, by his 
industrv, be able to obtaui a comfortable subsistence for himself, and that he will 
make a' proper use of the freedom which I hereby give him, do discharge, liberate, 
and set free, him, the said Gesar, and do hereby exempt him from any further obli- 
gations of sei-vitude to mc, my heirs, and from every other person claiming anv au- 
thority over him, bv, from, or under me. And that my said servant, whom I now 
make free, as aforesaid, may be known hereafter, by a proper cognomen, I hereby 
give him the name of Jamiig, so that hereafter he is to be known and distinguished by 
the name of Ca-sm- Jaimis. As witness my hand tuid seal, in Litchfield, November 
twentv-third- day, A. D. 1786. 

In presence of ) OLIVER WOLCOTT. [l. s.] 

Mary Ann Wolcott, > 
Frederick Wolcott. ) 



' ^ 



CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, ETC. 253 

LITCHFIELD COUNTY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

On the 13th and 14th (lays of August, 1851, the One Hundredth anniversary of the 
organization of Litchfiold County was celebrated with appropriate ceremonies in tliis 
village. A Committee of Ai-rangeraents had been previously appointed in each town 
in the county — that for Litchfield consisting of the Hon. Samuel Church, George C. 
WoodrulT, Esq.. Rev. David L. Pai-melee, Hon. William Beebe and Jonathan Huel, 
Esq. The following gentlemen composed the Central Committee, viz., Hon. Seth P. 
I'ccrs, (Chairman,) Hon. Origen S. Sevmour, G. H. Hollister, Edwin B. Webster and 
Wm. H. Thompson, Esqrs., all of Litchfield: Col. Robbins Battel!, of Norfolk, Hon. 
David C. Sanford, of New Milford, and Rev. Jonathan Lee, of Salisbury. 

An immense crowd of returning emigrants from the county, and others, were pres- 
ent. The gi-eat Tent belonging to Yale College was spread on the West Park, under 
which the public services took place — consisting of an Historical Address, by the Hon. 
Samuel Church, LL. D., of Litchfield, the then Chief Justice of the State; a Dis- 
course, no ' The Age of Homespun,' by the Rev. Horace Bushnell, D. D., of Hartford, 
a native of Litchfield; and a Poem, by the Rev. John Pierpont, of Medford, Mass. 
also a native of this town. 

The following were the Officers of the Day: 

Gen. DANIEL B. BRINSMADE, of Washington, President 

Gen. R. C. Abernethy, "1 

Hon. Roger H. Mills, 

John Buckingham, Esq., \ Vice Presidents. 

Hon. Charles B. Phelps, 

Hiram Goodwin, Esq., J 

Major-General William T. King, of Sharon, Chief Marshall. 

Col. William F. Baldwin, of Litchfield, and 21 others. Marshals. 

f)ii the second day of the celebration, addresses were made under the Tent by tli® 
Hon. Messrs. Daniel S. Dickinson, Amasa J. Parker, F. A. Tallraadge, David Buel, 
George W. Holley, George Gould, Henry Dutton, &c. Letters were read, songs and 
hymns were suiig: old acquaintances were renewed, and new one formed; and, 
though friends and strangers came in thousands, the hospitality of our people proved 
abundant. Tlie 13th and 14th of Augest, 1851, are days that will long be remembered 
in our local calender. 

CC^The drawing on the opposite page, was made by Mr. Jules Busch, (a native 
of Dresden, Germany,) who, in 1851-'2, was a teacherof Drawing, etc., in this village. 
He was subsequently a Professor of the Fine Arts in the State Normal School. On his 
return from a visit to his native country in the autumn of 1858, he perished at sea, 
with 500 others, by the burning of the steamship Austria. 



ZEBULON GIBBS' NARRATIVE. 

[Zebulon Gibbs was born in Windsor Aug. 19, 1711; died in Litchfield Jan. 8, 1803.J 

" MEMOiiiS OF Capt. Zebulon Gibbs. — Some memoirs of my life may not be un- 
interesting. I came to Litchfield in the year 1720, then being in my tenth year. There 
were then but three families living within the limits of Litchfield, viz., John Peck, 
Captain Jacob Griswold, and Ezekiel Buck. Said Griswold was taken by two Indi- 
ans in the month of May, 1722, and carried as far as Canaan; and in the succeeding 
nio-ht, when the Indians were asleep, said Griswold took their guns and made his es- 
cape,' and returned to the town next day — though he was followed by the Indians 
within sight of the houses then standing on the now town plat. In the same year, in 
the month of August, Joseph Harris was killed and scalped by the Indians. On the 
day that said Harris was killed, I was solicited by him to go with him out to the Plain 
we'st of the town, to drive his team ; but as there was no guard going that day to that 
part of the town, I refused to go with him. He then went alone ; but when the news 
came into town that Harris was killed, there was an alarm made, and the people rallied 
out ill search of him, and I was the first who found him dead. 

I am now the oldest man living in the county of Litchfield, save one. I attended 
the first funeral that was ever attended in this town, of a white person. I have been 
a mighty hunter in my early life; I have killed five Deer in this town in one day. 

I went up to Ticoncleroga in the late revolutionary war, with Colonel Hinman. I 
was active in the French War in the year 1756, till the year 1762. I was a conductor 



254 HISTOEY OP LITCHFIELD. 

of teams and horses, by which means I obtained the title of Captain. I married about 
the age of 21, aud-lived with my wife 62 years, and she died — by whom I had nine 
children ; three died young, and six lived to settle in the world in the marriage state. 
I have had 48 grandchildren, 1.33 great-grandchildren, and sundry of the 5th genera- 
tion, but the number I cannot ascertain. I am now 91 years old. I have enjoyed a 
firm constitution. I was able the last summer to mow and reap, and very probably 
shall do some this season. 

I cannot boast of holding many places of office and trust in this town, though I have 
been a Nuisance Committee above forty years, and have endeavored to be faithful in 
removing encroachments from the highways. But the young ones are now rising up, 
and think they know more than the old man: but I am alive yet, though I have ex- 
perienced almost everything but death, ZEBULON GIBBS. 

Litchfield, June 30, 1802." 



The Press and Politics. 

On Tuesday, December 21, 1784, was issued in this town the first number of 
" The Weekly Monitor, and American Advertizer," printed by Collier & Copp, " in 
the south end of the Court House." It contains only three Litchfield advertize- 
ments, viz.. 1. That of William Russell, Stocking Weaver, [from Norwich, England,] 
who announced that he was ready to make " worsted, cotton and linen Jacket and 
Breeches Patterns, men's and Avomen's Stockings, Gloves, and Mitts." 2. That of 
Zalmon Bedient, Barber, who offors cash for human Hair, at his barber's shop " a few 
rods north of the Court House in Litchfield." 3. That of Cornelius Thayer, Brazier, 
who gives notice that he carries on business at the shop of Col. Miles Beach, in North 
street — at which shop the Jewelers' and Silversmith's business " is carried on as usual 
by said Beach." 

The Monitor was continued for a period of 22 years : for 16 years of which, it had 
no rival in the town. It was printed on a sheet about one-third the present size of the 
Litchfield Enquirer — with course type, and coarse blue paper. A smgle compositor 
might have set the type in a single day for all the new matter which was contained 
in some of the weekly issues. Yet it is a most interesting epitome of the olden times. 
From it we are able to glean very many facts and events in the history of this town 
and county, which are preserved no where else. Until after the advent of the present 
century, both the town and county were federal in their politics; and the Monitor was 
was at once the organ and the oracle of the federal party in this region. 

In August, 1805, two young printers — Messrs. Sellick Osborn and Timothy Ashley 

came to this town and established The Witness, a violent democratic newspaper. 

The Witness was edited by Mr. Osborn, who, though a man of talents and energy, 
was a most unscrupulous partizan and bitter satirist. Though there was a formida- 
ble minority of democrats in the township at this time, Litchfield Hill was the strong- 
hold of Federalism. Tallmadge, Eeeve, Wolcott, Deming, Gould, Tracy, Holmes, 
Allen Aaron Smith, Rev. Messrs. Champion .and Huntington, and indeed nearly all 
the leading men of the village, were Federalists, and looked upon Jefferson as an infi- 
del and reprobate. Subsequent to the Presidential Election of 1800, (which resulted in 
the choice of Jefferson to the Presidency,) the partizan sermons and prayers of Jlessrs. 
Champion and Huntington of the congregational church had driven several of their 
church members (including Deacon Lewis) to Episcopacy. On one occasion, after 
a political sermon from Parson Huntington, his venerable colleague, Father Cham- 
pion, praj^ed first and fervently tor " thy servant the President of the United States" 
(John Adams;) and concluded thus — "And, Lord! wilt thou bestow upon the Vice 
President (Jetlerson) a double portion of Thj- grace, /or Thou knowest he needs it T^ 
The summary withdrawal of so many members, caused the first churcli no little em- 
barrassment. A formal expulsion was proposed ; but some of them occupied high 
social positions, and others were nearly allied to remaining members. The matter was 
finally adjusted by a simple withdrawal of the " watch and fellowship" of the church 
from the the seceders. The feeling of hostility between federalists and democrats 
was such that prominent men living the same neighborhood refused to recognize each 
other when they met; federal ladies refused even to make formal calls at the houses 
of their democratic neighbors; and the children of federalists were forbidden to as- 
sociate with those of the hated democrats. Such was the state of feeling on Litchfield 
Hill when The Witness opened its batteries on the ranks of Federalism. At first, its 
saults were treated with contempt. Osborn grew bolder, more bitter, ard more per- 
sonal— gathering up and parading before the public the foibles or follies (real or man- 
ufactured) of the principal men of the village, against whose honor no word of suspi- 
cion had before been breathed. Charges and insinuations of hypcrisy and crime were 



THE PEESS AND POLITICS 4^ 255 

freel}' blended with the most scathing ridicule. This was " bearding the lion in his 
den." It was not long before Osboi'n was indicted, tried and convicted, of a libel on 
Julius Deming, Esq. Osborn and his partner, Ashley, were both subjected to a fine, 
in default of the payment of which, botii were committed to the County Jail. Ashley 
was soon liberated; and Osborn mijjlit have been had he complied with the terms of 
the court. But, as he himself expressed it, " the only alternative oftered him, was to 
have either his body or 'iniiid imprisoned, of course he remained in confinement." His 
friends regarded him as a martyr to his political fidelity. It was published far and 
wide through the columns of the democratic journals, that his health was sinking from 
confinement " in a damp and loathsome cell :" that a maniac charged with murder 
was thrust into the same cell with him, &c. On the 4th of July, 1806, a meeting of 
the democrats of Litchfield was held at Phelps' Hotel, at which a committee of three 
was appointed " to repair to the prison and learn the true situation of Mr. Osborn, 
and his treatment since his imprisonment, and to report at an adjourned meeting." 
At the adjourned meeting, on the 14th, the committee reported, in substance, that they 
had visited Mr. 0. at the jail: tlmt he was confined in the same room with two crim- 
inals, both charged with capital oft'ences ; that his room was formed of damp and rag- 
ged stone walls, in which the air was impure, stagnant and ofl'eusive, and so dark 
tliat it was diflicult to distinguish one's features ; that his friends were generally denied 
admission to his room, and could only have intercourse with him through the outer 
grate of the prison; that his health was failing, &c.. &c From this date, the com- 
mittee visited the prison from»time to time, and issued their weekly bulletins through 
the columns of The Witness. In vain Sherifl:' Landon denied the truth of the com 
mittee's original report. The story of Osborn's persecutions went abroad over the 
land. The 'democracy of distant States held indignation meetings, at which Osborn 
was extolled, the Connecticut Courts denounced, and the Litchfield federalists execra- 
ted At length it was resolved to have a grand ovation in behalf of Osborn, at Litch- 
field — and the 6th of August was fixed upon for the celebration. The great day 
finally arrived, and with it came an immense concourse of democrats from this and 
other States. Day-break was greeted with the discharge of one gun at the head of 
North street, a responsive discharge an the fiag-staft" on the Public Green, and martial 
music until sun-rise. At Sun-Rise, 17 guns were fired — with martial music. At 11, 
the procession moved in the following order, viz., 

Mii.TTARY — commanded by Major Stephen Ranney ; Lieut. Swett, U. S. Ofiicer sta- 
tioned at Springfield, acting as Marshal, John M. Felder, as Adjutant, and Chauncey 
Hotchkiss, as (Juarter-Master — consisting of 

Cavalry, commanded by Captain Carter. 
Band of Music. 
Matross company from Danbury, commanded by Lieut. Ambler, 
do. do. of this town, commanded by Capt. Bissell. 

do. do. composed of boys, in white uniform. 

Light Infantry, commanded by Captain Shethar. 
Infantry, commanded by Captain Grannis. 
do. commanded by Lieut. Stone. 

do. commanded by Ensign Norton. 

Two of the Committee of Arrangements. 
Clergy and Orator, 
General Timothy Skinner, President of the Day, 
Moses Seymour, Esq., ^ 

John Welch, Esq. > Vice Presidents of the Day, 

Ozias Lewis, Esq, ) 

Six of the Committee of Arrangement, 

Marshals of Connecticut and Vermont, 

Collectors of New Haven and Middletown, 

Citizens genei*ally. 

The procession passed under Osborn's prison window, with heads uncovered, each 
saluting the prisoner with a passing bow, and the military giving him a brigadier's 
salute. Notwithstanding the hatred with which many of the congregationalists regarded 
democracy, the society's committee had generously tendered the use of their meeting- 
house for tlie occasion Thither the procession wended. The services in the church 
consisted of a prayer by the Rev. Asaliel Morse, (Baptist,) of Suffield; Reading of the 
Declaration of Independence, by Jonathan Law, Esq., of Cheshire ; an Oration, by 
David Plant, Esq, of Stratford, [since member of congress and lieut. governor] : and 
an Address by Joseph L, Smith, Esq, of Litchfield. 

Before the arrival of the procession at the church, an occurrence took place which 
created much ill-feeling and comment at tiie time. Messrs. Champion and Hunting- 
ton entered the church, and were proceeding up the aisle toward the pulpit, when 
(according to Mr. Champion's statement,) he was seized near the shoulder by Joseph 
L . Smith, Esq, a member of the committee of arrangements, who pulled him around. 



256 • HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

saying — " You have no business here, and mu^st go out of the house." Mr. C. replied, 
that he was an old man, and wished for liberty to sit in the pulpit, assuring him that 
he would make no disturbance. Mr. Smith grew more boisterous, and the two cler- 
gj'men withdrew. Mr. Smith and his friends published a very different version of the 
storj'; while the federalists reiterated that Smith had at first boasted of the exploit, 
and'declared that he would have called the military to his aid if it had been necessary 
in ejecting the inti-iiders. Mr. Champion seems to have taken the matter very seri- 
ously. " I was much afflicted," he wrote, " at being cast out of the House of God, 
where I had worshipped almost 54 years, and could expect to be there but a few daj's 
more. 7'hese reflections crowded into my mind, when ejected and retiring from the 
place where God's honor had dwelt." 

At the annual election in October, 1805, it maybe remarked, not a single democrat 
had been chosen to the Legislature in Litchfield county; and the federalists had not 
been backward in taunting Osborn about the " revolution" which it was said he had 
boasted he would produce in this region. At the annual election in May, 1806, the 
tables had been partially reversed by the election of two democratic Representatives 
from Litchfield by a vote of 314 to 308. A portion of the democratic enthusiasm in 
behalf of Osborn, is attributable to an appreciation of his services in producing tliis 
result * 

As an incident of the celebration, it is mentioned that during the day, a placard 
was displayed on the door of one of principal Hotels, bearing the significant words — 
" No Democrats admitted here." Some gentlemen from a distance put up, as 
Avas their custom when this way, with an intimate friend, who chanced to be a rank 
federalist. He soon enquired if they had come to attend the celebration; and on be- 
ing answered in the affirmative, he abruptly replied — "Thenj'ou cannot be accommo- 
dated at my house. As old fi-iends, I should have been glad to see you; as democrats 
I want notliing to do with you !" Such was the spirit of the times. 

When the services in the church were over, the procession was re-formed and pro- 
ceeded to a large Bower which had been erected in the meadow on the south side of 
East street, nearly opposite the Jail, where a cold repast had been prepared by Capt. 
Phelps. Seventeen regular toasts were drank, accompanied by the discharge of can- 
non and music from the band. Among them were the following: 

"Justice — May false witnesses, perjured judges, and packed juries, be banished 
from its courts." 

" Selleck Osborn — Like Daniel in the lion's den, he is teaching his persecutors that 
the beasts cannot devour him." [3 cheers.] 

" Liberty of the Press — Litchfield Jail its stronghold." [3 cheers.] 

" The Political Clergy — If there were twenty Gods, perhaps some one might ap- 
prove their services; but the oke God wants no political pastors." [8 cheers.] 

" The memory of our departed friend, Ephraim Kirby — His virtues will live while 
our memory lasts; his merits shall be known to posterity." 

" Litchfield Jail — Our votes will level it as the ram's horns did the walls of Jeri- 
cho." [6 cheers.] 

The Witness complains that the name of Major Seymour was stricken from the roll 
of Justices of the Peace for this county, by the Legislature, (May 1807,) because of his 
participation in the 6th of August celebration. 

lu June 1807, The Witness gives the frflowing summarj' of the suits against Messrs 
Osborn and Ashley, viz. : 

" Fine and costs in libel suit with J. Deming, Esq., $340 40 

For publishing case of Tallmadge & Wolcott vs. General Hart, 

with comments thereon, fine and costs, 605 98 

For slandering Thomas Collier, 622 00 

(Besides cost of complaint in favor of -Mr. Ashley against Thomas G. 

CoUier, which complaint the county court dismissed.) 

Aggregate, $1,474 44 

Osborn wa.s not the only man involved in libel suits in those days. The Hon. Tap- 
ping Reeve, and Capt. Thomas Collier of the Monitor, were both indicted before the 
U. S. District Court at New Haven, for libeling President Jellcrson; and the ilev. 
Dan Huntington, of this village, recovered $1,000 from Maj. Babcock, of the Hartford 
MercTiry, a democratic paper. 

'I'he Witness was discontiimed in the summer of 1807 — having been published about 
two years. Selleck Osborn was a native of Danbury ; and, after leaving Litchfield, 
published The Delaware Watchman, at Wilmington, Del. A volume of his I'oenis 
was published in Boston. He died in Philadelphia in 1820. 

The Litchfield Monitor was discontinued in 1806 — having been publislied by Mr. 
Collier for 22 years. Thomas Collier (son of Richard) was born in Boston, Feb. 20, 
1700, and died iiiBinghamton, N. Y., 1844. On leaving this town, he resided for sev- 
eral years in Troy. Tn June, 1799, an oqjlianlad of 14 years, named John C. Wright, 



OUR PARKS. 257 

from Wethersfield, entered the Monitor Office as an apprentice, remained with Mr. 
Collier until of age, married liis daughter Mary, and for some time published a paper 
in Troy. Having been admitted to the bar, he settled in Steubenville, Ohio, in the 
winter of 1809-'10; and in 1831, he removed thence to Cincinnati, where the venera- 
ble couple are still living. Mr. Wright has been State's Attorney, member of Con- 
gress, U. S. Attorney for the District of Ohio, and .Judge of the Supreme Court. In 
1834, he received the degree of Doctor of Laws from a Kentucky college. 

The Litchfield Gazette was commenced in January,*1808, by Messrs. Charles Hos- 
mer and Oliver Goodwin, both from Hartford. The Gazette was discontinued RL'iy 17, 
1809. Mr. Hosmer returned to Hartford, where lie is still engaged in mercantile bu- 
siness, and has been for many years the Recording Secretarj^ of the Connecticut His- 
torical Society. Mr. Goodwin remained in this village as a bookseller and stationer 
until his death in 1855. 

Isaiah Bunce came to this town soon after, and commenced The Litchfield Journal, 
the name of which was changed to The Litchfield Republican in 1819 — which, in 
tuni, was succeeded by The Miscellany, a small quarto, in July, 1821. In Septem- 
ber, 1822, Mr. Bunce commenced in this village the publication of The American 
Eagle, which he removed to New Haven in Marcli, 1826. Mr. Bunce was a man of 
enterprize, and established a Bookstore, Reading Room, and Circulating Library; 
and was for a few years a Justice of the Peace. 

The Litchfield County Post was established in 1826, by Stephen S. Smith, from 
Poultney, Vermont. He disposed of the establishment to Joshua Garrett, who, after 
publishing the Post for a few weeks, sold out to Henry Adams in 1829. Mr. Adams 
soon changed the name of the paper to The Litchfield Enquirer, which it still 
bears. After editing and publishing The Enquirer for about thirteen yeai's, he was 
accidentally drowned, while fishing, by breaking through the ice of Bantam river, 
near the entrance of that stream into Bantam Lake. Mr. A. was a son of the late 
Joseph Adams, Esq., of this village, and was a talented and popular editor. His brotli- 
ei', Charles Adams, Esq., succeeded him in the publication of the Enquirer. From 
1845 to 1853, the paper was conducted by P. K. Kilbourn. H W. Hyatt and E. C. 
Goodwin afterwards successively became proprietors of the establishment. The pres- 
ent publishers are Messrs. Adams and Betts. The Enquirer is now in its 34th volume. 

Nov. 3, 1833, Melzer Gardner, from Hartford, commenced The Litchfield Democrat, 
which was discontinued in September, 1834. Subsequently, while editing a paper in 
Richmond, Va., Gardner was shot on board a steafuboat near that city, by a man to 
whom he had given ofieuse by an article which he had publislied. 

The Litchfield Sun was commenced by John M. Baldwin, (a native of this town,) m 
February, 1835; sold out to S. G. Hayes, of New Haven, in Saat. 1837, who discon- 
tmued it in April, 1839. ~ 

In January, 1840, Charles E. Moss & Co. commenced The Mercury, wdiich was 
transferred to Josiali Giles in the following August. It was discontinued some time in 
1842. The Mercury was soon succeeded by The Democratic Watchman, also pub- 
lished by Mr. Giles, which was discontinued in 1844. 

In 1845, J. K. AverlU commenced the New Milford Republican, at New Milford ; in 
September, 1846, he removed his office to this village, and changed the name of his 
paper to the Litchfield Republican. W. F. & G. H. Baldwin, Albert Stoddard, and 
Franklin Hull, successively continued the publication of the Republican. In 1856 
the office was removed to Falls Village, where the paper is still continued under the 
name of The Housatonic Republican. 

All these papers, it should be remarked, were published weekly. 



OUR PARKS. 

Our East and West Parks, which now add so much to the beauty of our villao-e, 
were graded, enclosed, and planted with trees, in the summer of 1836. During the 
preceding yeai-, the subject had been considered by our citizens, in connection witli 
several natives of this town residing in New York city, and the sujn of $600 was 
readily subscribed for the objbct. On the 2d of January, 1836, a special town meet- 
ing was held — Roger Cook, Moderator, and George C. Woodrnlf, Clerk jiro tem. At 
this meeting full permission was granted to the committee appointed by the subscrib- 
ers of the fund to enclose and "improve as they shall see proper," that poi'tion of the 
Green or Highway at present enclosed in the parks referred to. One of the most effi- 
cient and active members of the first Park Committee (and who, perhaps, did more 
than any other person in raising the Park Fund,) was the late Dr. J. S. Wolcott, of 
this village, a son of the last Gov. Wolcott. 

On the 4tii of October, 1858, the town voted that the inhabitants of this village 
' have leave to construct, without expense to the town, a Park in the connnon ground 
between the East ami' West Parks, in such suitable place as a committee ajipoiuted by 
this meeting shall designate, in such way as shall not materially interfere witli travel.' 

34 



258 HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD 



The Litchfield Law School. 

This institution was established in 1784, by Tapping Reeve, Esq., (afterwards 
chief justice of the State, and LL. D.,) who was the sole Principal until 1798, when 
the Hon. James Gould, LL. D., became associated with him. This was the first in- 
stitution of the kind in the country; and, as its conductors were learned and eminent 
men, it attained a wide-spread renown. From 1820, .Judge Gould conducted the 
School alone for several years ; when the Hon. Jabez W, Huntington became his as- 
sistant. In consequence of the failing health of Judge Gould, it was discontinued in 
1833. Up to that time the number of students had been 1,024 — every State then in the 
Union having been represented. Of this nu)nber, 15 became U. S. Senators; 50 
members of Congress; 40 Judges of the higher State courts: 10 Governors of States; 
5 members of the National Cabinet, ^ Messrs. Calhoun, Woodburj', Mason, Clayton 
and Hubbard;) 2 Judges Supreme Court United States, (Henry Baldwin and Levi 
Woodbury;) 1 Vice President of the United State, (John C. Calhoun;) and several 
Foreign Ministers — among whom is the Hon. John Y. Mason, our present Ambassa- 
dor to France. 

At the annual dinner of the " Story Association" of the Cambridge Law School, 
(Mass.,) in 1851, the following reference was made to our Law School. Mr. Loring, 
like scores of his fellow-students, married a Litchfield lady. 

Judge Kent gave — 

" The first-boo-n of the law schools of this country — the Litchfield Law School. The 
Boston bar exhibits its rich and ripened fruits. By them we maj^ judge of the tree 
and declare it good." 

Hon. C. G. Loi'ing, replied. He began with expressing his regret that there was no 
other repi-esentative from the Litchfield Law School present to respond to the compli- 
mentary but just notice of that institution. 

" I do not i-emember, said he, to have ever been more forcibly reminded of my 
younger days, than when looking around upon our young friends in the midst of 
whom I stand. It recalls the time when 1, too, was a student among numerous fellow 
students. It will, probably, be news to them and many others here, that thirty-eight 
years ago, which to many here seems a remote antiquity, there existed an extensive 
Law School in the state of Connecticut, at which more than sixty students from all 
parts of the country were assembled, — every State then in the Union, being there 
represented. I joined it in 1813, when it was at its zenith, and the onlj' prominent 
establishment of the kind in the land. 

The recollection is as fresh as the events of yesterday, of our passing along the 
broad shaded streets of one of the most beautiful of the villages of New England, 
with our inkstands in our hands, and our portfolios under our arms, to the lecture 
room of Judge Gould — the last of the Romans, of Common Law lawyers; the imper- 
sonation of its genius and spirit. It was, indeed, in his eyes, the perfection of human 
reason — bj' which he measured every principle and rule of action, and almost every 
sentiment. Wh}', Sir, his highest visions of poetry seemed to be in the refinement of 
special pleading; and to him, a no7i sequitur in logic was an offense deserving, at the 
least, fine and imprisonment — and a repetition of it, transportation for life. He was 
an admirable English scholar; every word was pure English, undefiled, and every 
sentence fell from his lips perfectly finished, as clear, transparent, and penetrating as 
light, and every rule and principle as exactly defined and limited as the outline of a 
building against the sky. From him. Sir, we obtained clear, well-defined, and accu- 
rate knowledge of the Common Law, and learned that allegiance to it was the chief 
dut}^ of man, and the power of enforcing it upon others his highest attainment. From 
his lecture room we passed to that of the venerable Judge Reeve, shaded by an aged 
elm, fit emblem of himself. He was, indeed, a most venerable man, in character and 
appearance — his thick, gray hair parted and falling in profusion upon his shoiilders. 
Ins voice only a loud whisper, but distinctly heard by his earnestly attentive pupils. 
He, too, was full of legal learning, but invested the law with all tlie genial enthusi- 
asm and generous feelings and noble sentiments of a large heart at the age of eigh- 
ty, and descanted to us with glowing eloquence upon the sacredness and majesty 
of law. He was distinguished. Sir, by that appreciation of the gentler sex which 
never lails to mark the true man, and his teachings of the law in reference to their 
rights and to the domestic relations, had great influence in elevating and refining the 
sentiments of the young men who were privileged to hear him. As illustrative of 
his feehngs and manner upon this subject, allow me to give a specimen. He was dis- 
cussing the legal relations of married women: he never called them, however, by so 
inexpressible a name, but always spoke of them .as, "the better half of mankind," 
or in some equally just manner. When he came to the axiom that "a married 
woman has no will of her own ; " this, he said, was a maxim of great theoretical im- 



SOUTH FARMS SOCIETY. 259 

portance for the preservation of the sex against the undue influence or coercion of the 
husband; but, although it was an inflexible maxim, in theory, experience taught us 
that practically it was found that they sometimes had wills of their own — biost hap- 

riLY FOR us. 

\Vc left his lecture room, Sir, the very knight crrants of the law, burning to be the 
defenders of the right and the avengers of the wrong; and he is no true son of the 
Litchfield School who has ever forgotten that lesson. I propose, Sir 

The Memories of Judge Reeve and Judge Gould, — among the first, if not the first 
founders of a National Law School in the United States — who have laid one of the 
corner stones in the foundation of true American patriotism, loyalty to the law. 



SOUTH FARMS. 

From 1740 to 1767, the people residing in the southern section made several unsuc- 
cessful applications to the Legislature — first, " to be annexed to the north society of 
Woodbury; second, to be allowed what were termed "winter privileges;" and, 
finnlly, to be set off as a distinct ecclesiastical society. In December, 1760, the in- 
habitants of South Farms, having obtained permission of the Legislature "to enjoy 
the privilegesof a winter parish for three months in a year," asked tlic town to be re- 
leased from a part of their tax for building the meeting-house on the Hill. Whereupon 
it was voted in town meeting, that " in case South Farms shall become a distinct 
ecclesiastical society within forty-five years, the town will pay back to said society 
the money advanced by said winter pai'ishioners toward building said meeting- 
house." in 1761, the Legislature voted that the inhabitants of South Farms " be 
allowed to have the Gospel preached to them for four months in the winter season, 
and shall have liberty to build a meeting-house; " and thi-ee years later, they voted 
to build a winter house 35 feet long, 25 feet wide, with nine feet posts, "provided Jus- 
tus Gibbs will do it for £70 : 10." 

In 1767, the society of South Farms was duly incorporated, and its inhabitants have 
since transacted their ecclesiastical and educational affairs separately from those 
residing in other portions of the town. The act of 1857, it should be remarked, 
restores to the toion all business relating to schools. The first person buried in that 
part of the town, was Mr. James Stoddard, who was killed at the raising of a dwell- 
ing house. I have already given specimens of the orthogi-aphy of certain portions of 
the town records. The records of South Farms's Society were by no means an 
improvement upon them. For instance, on the 14th of March, 1759, the society voted 
"to pay Charles Woodruff six shillings for Bears to cai-ry ye dead." In 1769, it 
was voted " th.at we think the scaling ordinances are equally sacred, and any person 
that is qualified for one is qualified for both." In 1770, "voted that we approve of 
the church vote, viz., that conversion should not be a term for admission for churcli 
Gpmmunion." In 1776, the town granted to Thomas Waugh, and his heirs forever, 
the right to use a certain burying ground in South Farms for pasturing, " provided 
he or they shall keep up and maintain convenient bars for the people to pass and re- 
pass for the purpose of burying their dead." In 1785, a new and commodious church 
was erected. In April of tliat year, the society voted that " the meeting-house com- 
mittee shall have good right to furnish Rum, Grindstones nnA Ropes, sufficient for fram- 
ing the meeting-house according to their best discretion," and in June, an overseer 
was appointed to direct the issue of liquor at the raising, and a vote at the same time 
was passed that said overseer "shall give two drams a day to the spectators, one a 
little before noon, and the other a little before night." The present church was built 
in 1844. The present pastor, Rev. David L. Parmelee, was settled in 1841. 

President Dwight, of Yale college, (in his Travels,) gives the following interesting 
facts relative to this parish, and the Academy which fonnerly flom-ished there : 

" Immediately above Watertown lies South Farms — the southern part of Litchfield. 
This parish is principally a collection of hills, which are high, moist, and excellent 
grazing ground. The surface is pleasant, the houses good farmers' dwellings, of 
wiiicii'^a Tittle village is formed around the church. The inhabitants are industrious 
.and thrifty; and distinguished for good morals, good order, and decency of deport- 
ment. A flourishing academy has been raised of late, almost solely by the efforts of 
James Morris, Lsq., who is at once its founder and preceptor. This gentleman, soon 
after he had finished his education at Yale College, became an ofiicer in the American 
army, in which he continued throughout the revolutionary war. After the peace, his 
parents and his patrimony being in this place, he was induced to establish hinisclf 
here for life. At his return, he found the inhabitants less enlightened and less refined 
than those of manv other parts of the state. What in this country is perhaps sin- 
gular they regarded him, both as a man liberally educated and as an oflicer, with 
suspicion "and alienation. At the same time he perceived, with not a little mortifica- 



260 HiSTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

tion, that they were in many instances ignorant and vicious. As he had been absent 
from his early youth, his influence among them was to be created. With a disposi- 
jon, which cannot be enough commended, lie determined to commence in fonn the work 
of a general reformation. After various exiDcriments, sufHciently discouraging, among 
those who have airived at middle age, he turned his attention to their children; and 
hoped by communicating to them the advantages of a well-directed education to 
furnish their minds with both knowledge and virtue, and thus to transform their 
character into amiableness and worth. For this benevolent purpose he founded the 
institution which I have mentioned. In this Academy it has, from the first, been the 
commanding object to inculcate the best principles of morality and religion, and to 
require of the students an unexceptionable deportment. The youths of iDoth sexes, 
usually assembled here from various parts of the country, are in number from 40 to 
70. ]\ir. Morris has had the satisfaction of seeing his expectations more than realized. 
Not only were the benefits of his design reahzed by the inhabitants of South Farms, 
but they are spread also through most parts of the country, and extensively through 
this and the neighboring states. This is one among the proofs fuiTiished by experience^ 
of the power possessed by an individual, of spreading around him, if properly dis- 
posed, the best blessing of society." 



St. Paul's Masonic Lodge. 



The first Charter of this Lodge was obtained from the R. W. Joseph Webb, " Grand 
Master of Masons in America," then residing in Boston, and bears date June 1, 1781. 
It was granted on petition of the following persons, viz. Rev. James Nichols, John 
Watkins, Thomas Philips, Eaton Jones, Benjamin Hanks, John Collins, Noah Blakes- 
lee, Wm. Durkee, Daniel Starr, John Colvill, Jonathan Kettle, Josiali Norton and 
Adino Hale — abouthalf of whom belonged in this town, the remainder in Goshen and 
Harwinton. The firstmeetingof the Lodge was held June 13, 1781 — the Rev. Ashbel 
Baldwin presiding as Master. The following other officers were chosen — Benjamin 
Hanks, S. W. ; Eaton Jones,*J. W. ; John Collins, Treasurer; and J. Kettle, Secre- 
tary. On the 15th of October, 1790, the Lodge received a new charter from the Grand 
Lodge of the State, in which it is designated as " St. Paul's Lodge, No. 11." It has 
numbered among its members some of our most eminent citizens. 

The following the present oflicers of the Lodge: — David E. Bostwick, W. M. ; F. 
D. Beeraan, S. W.; Levi Curtis, J. W.; Charles L. Webb, Treasurer; Wm. H. Cross- 
man, Secretaiy; Hem-y A. Hull, S. D.; George Munger, J. D.; Edward Grossman 
and George Horace Baldwin, Stewards; Sheldon Hunger, Tyler. 



TOWN DEPOSIT FUND. 

This fund was derived from the Surplus Revenue in the Treasury of the United 
States, which, by an act of Congress passed in 1836, was distributed among the seve- 
ral states in proportion to their representation in that body. The share belonging to 
Connecticut was, by oi-der of the Legislature, apportioned to the several towns in the 
state according to their population. The amount thus given to Litchfield was 
$11,444.50. The town appointed Isaac Lawrence to be Treasurer, and Theron Beach 
and George C.-Woodruft'to be Managers of the Town Deposit Fund. On the 9th of 
April, 1838, the town voted to appoint a committee of seven to direct in what maimer 
the interest of the Fund should be divided among the several school districts of the 
town ; and Messrs. Putnam, Kilbourn, James M. Pierpont, Dan Catlin, William Bas- 
sett, Edwai'd Pierpont, Frederick Buel and 0. S. Seymour, were appointed said com- 
mittee. The Fund is invested in promissory notes, secured by mortgage, and in town 
orders. The annual interest is $686.67, which is appropriated to the support of 

schools. 

MINERAL SPRING. 

In August, 1820; James Pierce, Esq., announced in Silliman's Journal of Science 
that he had discovered a valuable jMineral Spring on the eastern slope of Prospect 
Moimtain, in this town. The waters of the Pool (as it was called,) soon became 
celebrated for their medicinal virtues, and a House was erected near by for the accom- 
mbdetion of visitors. In March. 1821, it is stated in Silliman's Journal that the wa- 
ters of this spring had "etlected cures of obstinate rheumatic complaints that had 
resisted ordinary remedies ;" and that they had " been sent for weekly Irom Hartford, 
and were considered equal to those of the Stafford Spring." The Pool ii now more 
often visited by the lovers of Avild and picturesque scenery, than for its waters. 



ILLUSTRIOUS GUESTS.— I have elsewhere referred to the visits of Washington 
and LaFayette to this town. In 1807, Jerome Bonaparte, with his young American 
wife, came ' with coach and four,' and put up at Catlin's Hotel. About 1820, the Hon. 
Martin Van Buren came here on a visit with his friend, Judge Skinner — spending the 
Sabbath, and attending Dr. Beecher's church. July 16, 1832, the Hon. John Qumcy 
Adams arrived in town and spent the night here. 



MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. 



261 



" Litchfield. October 30th, 1797. — Wc the subscribers, having ut our own ex- 
pense, erected a Ohurcli in the Western Part of Litchfield, and beinjf desirous of 
tbriuing ourselves into an Episcopal Society, hereby lay before, request, and peti- 
tion the meeting of the First ICpiscopal Society in said Litchfield, to give their con- 
sent to this re(iuest, and in future exempt us from paying taxes to the First Episco- 
pal Societ}'— upon condition of our organizing and taxing ourselves. All of which 
we submit to said meeting in brotherly love. 



Isaac Kilbourn, 
David Kill)ourii, 
iSjdvanus IJisliop, 
Solomon Kilbourn, 
John Landon, 
Jesse Kilbourn, 
John Tryon, 
Heber Stone, 
Orange Kilbourn, 
James Kilbourn, ■ 
Nathaniel Smith 2d, 
Levi Kilbourn, 
Simeon I'almer, 
Ehsha S. Hunger, 
James Glass, 
Horace Stone, 
Samuel Denison, 



Philander Wcstover, 
Chauncey Kilbourn, 
Heman Kilbourn, 
John Kilbourn, 
Benjamin Doolittle, 
Reuben Smith 2d, 
James Adams, 
Newell Miller, 
Kemembrance Landon, 
Arunah Blakoslee, 
Jacob Kilbourn, 
Frederick Hunt, 
Samuel Woodcock, 
Thaddeus Stocker, 
Noah Stone, 2d, 
Samuel Hazen, 
Jesse Stoddard, 
Jehial Gates, 
Jonathan Bishop, 



Joseph Burgess, 
Benjamin Bisscll, 3d, 
Hicks Smith, 
Chauncey Denison, 
Pluneas Smith, 
David Wcstover, 
Wait Smith, 
Samuel Carter, 
Abel demons, 
Anson Smith, 
Lumbert Johnson, 
Daniel Haskins 
David Kcnney, 
Joseph Wcstover, 
Jeremiah Kilbourn, 
Nathaniel Smith, 
Milo Hunt, 



James Lee, 

Benjamin .Johnson, Jr., 

A true Copy of Record. 

N. B. The above petition was granted the 6th day of November, 1797. 

SETil LANDON, Society's Clerk." 



Miscellaneous Items. 

Benefactions. — The lot on which stands St. Michael's church, in South street, 
was the gift, in 1809, of Samuel Marsh, Esq., of Norfolk, Va., a native of this town. 

The Town Clock in the tower of the first church, was presented to the society by 
the late Dr. Abel Catlin. 

Mr. Nath'lBosworth, (a member ofthe West Eniscopal society of this town,) died 
in 1801, leaving a bequest of £100 for the purchase of a bell for the West Church. 
The bell purchased with this sum is still iu usein St. Paul's church, Bantam. 

In 1843, Messrs. Hugh P. and Garry Welch presented the Episcopal society in Milton 
with the bell which is now in use in the church of that parish. 

Mr. Solomon Marsh, soon after the completion of the first Episcopal chui'ch-edifice 
in this village, presented that society with an Organ at a cost of $800. 

Asa Hopkins. Esq., a native and resident of this town, died in 1838. In liis will, he 
gave the use of his property to his wife during her life. At her decease, (after the 
payment of certain legacies,) he bequeathed the residue of his property to the congre- 
gational church and society in Northfield. Mrs. Hopkins died in 1855. The whole 
amount received by the said church and society, from Mr. Hopkins' estate, is $10,000 . 



Executions. — It is believed that no native of Litchfield was ever convicted of 
murder; and that wilful murder was never committed by or upon a white man, with- 
in the limits of this town. In 1768, an Indian named John Jacob was hanged for the 
murder of another Indian. In November, 1785, Thomas Goss, of Barkhamsted,_w.ts 
executed for the murder of Iiis wife. In these days he woiUd have been acquitted 
on the ground of insanity. On the jilca that his wife was a witch, he s])lit her head 
open with an axe. Thovigh at tinu>s ai)pareutly rational, he sometimes declared that 
he was the second Lamb of God — that he was 'brother of Jesus Christ — that he was 
the child born ofthe woman, mentioned in the Revelation of St. John, ' before whom 
the dragon stood ready to devour the child;' he foi'bid his counsel to apply for a re- 
prieve ;"declared the sheriff" could not hang him, !Lc. May 8, 1780, Barnet Daven- 
port, aged 20 years, was executed for murder and arson in Washington. Residing as 
a laborer in the family of Caleb Mallory, he entered the sleeping room of Mr. and Mrs. 
JIallory at midniglit and beat them to death with a club ; and their little grandchild 
shared the same fate. After robbing tlie house and setting it on fire, the murderer 
fled, leaving two other persons asleep wlio perished in the flames. These persons, it 
is understood, were executed in Gallows Lane, in this village. Other convictions for 
capital crimes have taken place before oiu- courts, but these are the only individuals 
who have ever suffered the extreme penalty ofthe law in this county. 



262 HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

JAMES WATSON, from this county, graduated at Yale college in 1776; was lieu- 
tenant of a revolutionary company raised chiefly in Litchfield. After the war, he 
settled in New York — became wealthy, was Speaker of the House, state Senator, 
Naval Officer, and U. S. Senator; and died in 1806. Where was he born ? The late 
Douglas Watson, Esq, (assistant clerk of our courts,) expressed to me his belief that 
he was born in this town. In a retired little grave-yai-d, about half a mile soutli of 
Bantam Lake, is a red sandstone tablet bearing the following inscription, viz., "To 
the Memory of Mr. John Watson, who died November 9, 1781, in the 74th year of his 
age. Berthyah Watson, his widow, died June 24th, 1792, in the 85th year of her age. 
This monument is respectfully erected by James Watson, their youngest son." The 
Hon. James Watson died in New York in 1806. 

Obituaries. 

In Litchfield, April, 1773, Col. Ebenezer Marsh, Esq., aged 72. 

In Litchfield, Dec. 3, 1805, Capt. William Stanton, aged 78 — commander of a com- 
pany in Sheldon's regiment of light dragoons in the Eevolution, and for more than 40 
years a resident of this town. 

In Litchfield, July 30, 1802, Reynold Marvin, Esq., aged 78— King's Attorney for the 
county previous to the Revolution. 

In Litchfield, June 6, 1821, Capt. Joseph Mansfield, aged 84 — an officer in the regi- 
ments of colonels Meigs and Douglas in the Revolution. He was from New Haven, 
but settled in this town soon after the war. 

At Spadre Bluff's, on the Arkansas river, near Little Rock, Aug. 1, 1822, Colonel 
Matthew Lyon, aged 75 — a native of Wicklow county, Ireland. In 1761, at the age 
14, he came to this coimtry poor and friendless, and was sold to pay his passage, to 
Jlr. Hugh Hannah, of Litchfield, (who is said to have lived at the time on the farm 
owned and occupied by the late Mr. Grant Wlckwire, a mile south of Bantam Lake.) 
Mat. was rough and independent; and Hannah was a severe disciplinarian, and not 
unfrequently applied the rod to his refractory servant. At length an altercation en- 
sued— JLat. threw a mallet at the head of his master, and fled. He was soon heard 
from in Vermont, where, among the hardy mountaineers, he became a leader. He 
was Deputy Secretary to the governor and council, clerk of the court of confiscation, 
Representative in the legislature, colonel of militia, editor of a newspaper, associate 
Judge of the Rutland county court, and, in 1796, was elected to Congress; and re- 
elected in 1798. Removing "to Kentucky in 1800, he was returned to Congress from 
that State from 1803 to 1310. He married a daughter of Gov. Cliittenden of Vermont. 
His son, Chittenden Lyon, who was for eight years a member of congress from Ken- 
tucky, was one of the most popular men in that State; and from him Lyon county was 
named. Precisely how long Lyon lived in this town, is uncertain, in one of hisad- 
drpsses to his constituents, he says — " After living ten yenrs in Connecticut, from my 
15th to my 25th year, I removed to a new settlement in Vermont." Were all of 
these 'ten j'ears' spent in Litchfield? Hannah was living here eight or ten years after 
Lyon first took his seat in congress, and was fond of talking about him ; attribiiting his 
success in life to the corporeal lessons which he had given him. The price paid by 
Hannah for Mat. was a pair of stags valued at .£12 — a fact which gave rise to many a 
coarse jest at the expense of the latter. 

At Jackson, Mississippi Territory, Sept. 1827, Col. Stephen Ranney, U. S, A., aged 
68 — formerly for more than 20 years, a resident of Litchfield. 

In Litchfield, Sept. 16, 1839, the Hon. Phineas Miner, aged 60 — a distinguished mem- 
ber of the bar of this county, and late member of congress. 

In Phelps, Ontario co., N. Y., July 17, 1841, Colonel David McNiel, aged 53— late a 
Judge of the court of common pleas for that county. He was a native of this town. 

In Cazenovia, N. Y., May 14, 1842, Jesse Kilboiim, aged 64, a native of Litchfield. 
For more than 25 years he was in public life in that town — as Trustee and President 
of tlie corporation of Cazenovia, Postmaster, Representative, &c. 

In St. Augustine, Florida, May 24 1846, Col. Joseph L. Smith, aged 70 — formerly 
a colonel in the army, and more recently U. S. .Judge of the Eastern District of Florida. 
From 1800 to 1817, (except a year or two,) he resided in this town. He married a 
daughter of the Hon. Ephraim Kirby. 

In Geneseo, N. Y., Nov. 28, 1846, Samuel W. Spencer, Esq., aged 76 — a native of 
Litchfield. He had been a magistrate, and SuiTogate of Livingston cotmty. 

In Litchfield, January 19, 1852, Miss Sarah Pierce, aged 84. In 1792, she established 
the Litchfield Female Academy, which became one of the most celebrated institutions 
in the country. She remained connected with it until 1832 — though for a few years 
previous, her nephew, John P. Brace, Esq., was the Principal. IVIore than 2,500 young, 
ladies and misses were members of the Academy. It was incorporated in 1827. The 
successors of ]\Iiss Pierce have been Misses Swift, Jones, Heyden, and others. 

In Hartford, Nov. 10, 1858, the Hon. Amos ]M. Collins, aged 70 — an eminent merchant 
and philanthropist. From 1843 to 1846, inclusive, he was IMayor of the city of Hart- 
ford. He was a son of Dea. Wm. Collins, and was born in Litchfield, March 30, 1788. 



BIOGRAPHY. 263 

BIOGRAPHICAL ADDENDA. 

CHILDS, Samuel R., M. D., (son of Mr. Timothy Childs,) was 
born in Dutches county, N. Y., September 25, 1800. When the sub- 
ject of this sketch was about five years old, his father purchased the 
mansion and farm now known as the Childs Place, four miles north of 
the Litchfield Court House, and at once removed his family there. 
Dr. Childs gi'aduated at the Medical College in Pittsfield, Mass., 
and subsequently pursued his studies at the Institution connected with 
Yale College. In May, 1825, he commenced the practice of his pro- 
fession in this village, and remained here until January, 1832, when 
he removed to the city of New York, where he soon had an extensive 
and lucrative business. He was appointed Physician to the City Dis- 
pensary, one of the Surgeons of the Eye and Ear Infirmary, Physician 
to the Bellvue Hospital, Health Officer of the city, &c. Though en- 
thusiastically attached to his chosen profession, and one of its most 
learned and skillful practioners, his energies have not been devoted 
exclusively to it. In 1838, he was appointed one of the Commis- 
sioners of the Croton Water Board. The magnitude of the work coiii- 
mitted to their care will be appreciated, when it is known that it 
required the expenditure of some $10,000,000, all of which passed 
tlirough their hands. He was long a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation ; and two or three times he was nominated for Congress in the 
Third District, but dechned. In 1840, and again in 1S53, Di\ Childs 
visited Europe, pursuing his professional investigations in the various 
hospitals of that country. With an ample fortune, he has retired 
to a beautiful residence near Saratoga Springs. Colonel Heman W, 
Childs, h's brother, after being for several years a merchant and 
manufacturer in Litchfield, removed to New York in 1834, where 
he was chosen a Representative, Collector of the City Revenue, and 
Commissioner of Streets and Lamps ; he died in 1851, 

GALPIN, Robert E., (son of Mr. Amos Galpin,) was born in 
Litchfield ; settled in Stockbridge, Mass., where he still resides. Be- 
sides holding various town offices, he was chosen a Representative in 
1844 and again in 1845 ; and for the last twelve years, he has been 
a Justice of the Peace. In 1852, he was elected President of the 
llousatonic Agricultural Society. 

STOWE, Mrs. Harriet Beecher, (daughter of the Rev. Lyman 
Beecher, D. D.,) was born in Litchfield, and married the Rev. Dr. 
Stowe, now Professor in the Theological Seminary at Audover. She 
is the author of The May Floioer, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Dred — a Tale 
of the Dismal Swamp, Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands, &c. 
Each of these works, except the first, is published in two volumes. 
Uncle Tom's Cabin has had a much more rapid sale than any other 
American work. Her tour through England and Scotland, a few 
years since, was like a continued ovation. Wherever she went, she 
was welcomed with public addresses, private invitations, assemblies 
and festivals ; indeed, the aristocracy and peasantry seemed to vie 
with each other in their efforts to do honor to their distinguished guest. 
No other lady from this side of the oceaa was ever received by them 
wi-h such enthusiasm. 



264 HISTORY OP LITCHFIELD. 

WADSWORTH, General Elijah, was born in Hartford, Nov. 14, 
1747: settled in Litchfield pi'evious to the Revolution ; was Captain 
in Sheldon's Regiment of Light Dragoons during nearly the entire 
war. In 1795, he associated hfmself with Messrs. Ephraim Kirby, 
Elijah Boardman, Ui-iel Holmes, sen'r and jun'r, and Samuel A. 
Law, in organizing the Connecticut Land Company and purchasing 
the Western Reserve; and the town of Wadsworth, in Medina coun- 
ty, was named from him. On the 15th of September, 1802, he started 
from Litchfield with his family for Ohio, arriving at Canfield on the 
17th of Octobei" — thus making the journey in 33 days. In January, 
1803, he was elected Sheriff of Trumbull county ; and about a year 
later, he was appointed by the Legislature Major General of the 4th 
Division. By the surrender of Hull in August, 1812, the defense of 
the entire North Western Frontier of Ohio devolved upon General 
Wadsworth. He soon organized a force 1,500 men from his Division, 
placed them under the command of Brig. Gen. Perkins, who reported 
them to Genei"al Harrison. In November, General Wadsworth re- 
turned from the frontiers in feeble health — having reached the age of 
65. In the summer of 1815, he had a paralytic shock which dis- 
abled him thereafter. He died in Canfield, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1817, in 
his 71st year. He married Rhoda Hopkins, of Litchfield, Feb. 16th, 
1789, and had five children, all born in this town. One of these, 
Frederick, of Akron, Ohio, was Major and Inspector in the war of 
1812; has since been Sheriff of Portage County, Senator, &c. 

WRIGHT, George F., the celebrated artist, was born of Litch- 
field parents in the adjoining town of Washington, and was brought 
up from childhood in this town. In 1856, he received a commission 
from the Legislature of his native State, to paint the portraits of all 
the chief magistrates who have filled the executive chair of Connec- 
ticut. This important and interesting work he accomphshed in such 
a manner as to give universal satisfaction. These portraits now 
adorn the Senate Chamber at Hartford. Mr. Wright has since spent 
two years at Rome and Munich, during a large part of which time he 
was a pupil of the celebrated Kaulbach. He is the inventor of an 
entirely new system of coloring, which is said by competent judges to 
be superior to anything hitherto in use. A well known amateur, 
writing recently from Europe to the New York Home Journal, says 
— "I saw in a studio, a few days since, two small works by a Connec- 
ticut artist named' Wright, which impressed me by their wonderful 
beauty of color. I hesitate not to say, that one of them equalled any 
piece of fiesh painting I ever saw, and I know of no approach to them 
in modern art. If these two pi'oductions are fair specimens of his 
system and powej'S, there has been no greater colorist since Titian." 
Mr. Wright is now pursuing his profession in Hartford. 

WESSELLS, Henry W., Major U. S. Army, (son of Dr. Ashbel 
Wessells,) was born in Litchfield, February 20, 1809, graduated at 
West Point in 1833, and entered the army as brevet second lieutenant. 
He was actively engaged in the Creek war, in the Florida war, and 
in the war with Mexico: For his gallant services in the latter wai-, 
he was promoted to his pi-esent rank, and the Legislature of Connec- 
ticut, in the name of the State, presented him with a splendid sword. 



BIOGRAPHY. 265 

BUTLER, Rev. David, D. D., a native of Harwinton, was ordained 
Deacon by Bishop Seabuiy, June 10, 1792, and Presbyter June 9, 
1793. From November 28, 1794, to February 21, 1799, he was 
Rector (f St. Michael's Church in this town — during which time he 
lived in the large red house which then stood on the West Plain op- 
posite the present residence of Col. Edwin Wadhams, but which has 
recently been moved farther south and converted into a barn. On 
leaving Litchfield, Dr. Butler was for a few years settled in Fairfield 
county, and thence removed to Troy, N. Y., where he became Rector 
of Trinity Church. He received the degree of D. D. at Washington 
(now Trinity) College in 1832 ; and died in Troy, July 11, 1843, 
aged 80 years. He married a Litchfield lady, and had ten children 
— one of whom, the Rev. Clement M. Butler, D. D., was recently 
chaplain of the United States Senate. 

DICKINSON, Anson, a celebrated miniature artist, was born in 
Litchfield, April 9, 1779 ; and, after residing abroad for about forty 
years, he returned to his native town, and died here, March 9, 1853. 
His brother, Andrew Dickinson, born in this town January 13, 1802, 
resides in Brooklyn, N. Y. He is the author of The City of the 
Dead, and Other Poems ; and of an interesting volume entitled. My 
First Visit to Europe, which has reached a third edition. 

GUERNSEY, Egbert, M. D., (son of Mr. Noah Guernsey, or 
Garnsey,) was born in Litchfield, July 8, 1823, and received his 
medical degree at the New York University in 1846. He is the au- 
thor of a History of the United States, for the use of Schools, (500 
pages,) of which about 75,000 copies have been sold ; also, of a work 
entitled, Practice of Medicine, (QiiO pages,) which has reached a third 
edition in this country, and has been re-published in England. His 
Gentleman's Hand-Booh of Honieopothy, first published in 1855, has 
reached a second edition. Dr. Guernsey is Professor of the Princi- 
ples and Practice of Medicine in the American College of Medical 
Science, and a medical practitioner in the city of New York. 

PARMELEE, David, from Durham, married Lucy, daughter of 
of Ozias Lewis, Esq., of this town, Jan. 22, 1795, and immediately 
settled here as a lawyer. In 1806, he was appointed by President 
Jefferson to the office of Judge of the Court for the settlement of Land 
Claims in the then newly-acquired Territory of Louisiana. The 
Monitor (a federal paper) of March 19, of that year, in announcing 
the appointment, expresses its belief that " a more con-ect, judicious 
and unexceptionable appointment to office, has never been made by 
Mr.' Jefferson." Judge Parmelee died in this town in May, 1811, 
aged 45 — leaving six children, viz., David L., (now pastor of the 
church in South Farms,) Julia, (m. Hosea Webster, Esq., of Brook- 
lyn, N. Y.,) Thomas J., Caroline, Albert 0., and Celeste. 

SMITH, Truman, a native of Roxbury, and a graduate of Yale 
college, resided in Litchfield nearly forty years, but removed to 
Stamford in 1854. While one of our citizens, he served as a Rep- 
resentative three years, a member of Congress eight years, a^^d U. S. 
Senator five years — having resigned the latter office in 1854. In 



26() HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD. 

1850, President Taylor tendered him a place in his cabinet as Secre- 
tary of the Interior, but, as he preferred remaining in the Senate, the 
offer was declined. Mr. S. is one of the ablest lawyers in the Union. 
WELCH, Wm. H., (son of John Welch, Esq.,) was born in Litch- 
field, June 1, 1805; graduated at Yale College in 1827; was for 
some years a lawyer in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and while there, was 
chosen a member of the Constitutional Convention of that State. Re- 
moving thence to Minnesota, he was appointed Chief Justice of that 
Territory by President Pierce, ami continued in office until her ad- 
mission into the Union as a State. 



Clerks and Treasurers of the \st Episcopal Society in Litchfield, 
1785 to 1859. — Clerks. — Seth Landon, Ozias Seymour, Emanuel 
Russell, Ozias Lewis, David C. Sanford, Origen S. Seymour, Fran- 
cis Bacon, A. S. Lewis. Treasurers. — Heber Stone, Samuel Mc- 
Niel, Lewis Kilbourn, Moses Seymour, Jr., Moses Seymour, Ozias 
Lewis, D. C. Sanford, Elihu Harrison, Wm. Porter, J. G. Beckwith. 

I^° The following resident-Physicians of Litchfield have been 
Presidents of the County Medical Society, viz., William Buel, 1818, 
seven years ; Reuben S- Woodward, 1831, one year ; Samuel Buel, 
1837, one year ; Manly Peters, 1842, one year ; Charles Vaill, 1843, 
one year; Reuben M. Woodruff, 1844, one year; George Seymour, 
1857, one year. Clerks. — Samuel Buel, Samuel R. Childs, Moses 
A. Lee, J. G. Beckwith, George Seymour, Henry W. Buel, David 
E. Bostwick. 

A Meeting of the GIBBS FAMILY was held at the Mansion 
House in Litchfield Feb. 4, 1847 — at which The -Gihbs Association 
of Connecticut was formed. An address was made by John Cornel- 
ius Gibbs, Esq., of Liverpool, England, relative to certain property 
in that country said to belong to the Gibbes of America. Frederick 
Whittlesey, Esq., of South Farms, was chosen President of the As- 
sociation ; and Frederick Gibbs, of Litchfield, Treasurer. 

The Gibbs Family was formerly very numerous in Litchfield, 
though but few now remain among us. 1 am informed that Freder- 
ick Gibbs, Esq., resides on a farm which lias descended from father 
to son, in his line, for 138 years. The '• Birch Staddle,' which 
formed one of the corner bounds of the farm in the early surveys, 
continued to stand as a bound-mark until the autumn of 185S, when, 
having become a venerable, decayed and moss-grown tree, it fell ! 

Perpetual Motion. — At the October session of the Legislature, 
1783, the exclusive right to manufacture Air Clocks was granted to 
Mr. Benjamin Hanks, of Litchfield. The Menioi-ial of Mr. Hanks 
states that " he has invented and executed a Clock which winds itself 
up by the effects of air, and will continue so do without any other as- 
sistance, until the parts thereof are destroyed by friction." 

SOUTH FARMS.— Just as the last form of this book was ready for the Press, 
this parish was, by an Act of the Legislature, incorporated as a Town, and named 
MORRIS, in honor of the late James Morris, Esq. With a feeling of unaffected re- 
gret, we part with her broad and beautiful domains, and bid farewell to her many 
noble citizens. Thus far her history belongs to Litchlield— the Future is all her own. 
Mav her career be as glorious in tlic ages to come, as her Past has been honorable ! 



J 928 



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